[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 98 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4013-S4014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Tribute to John Squire Drendel

  Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the memories 
of two incredible Nevadans who tragically passed away earlier this 
year. One is John Squire Drendel, and the other is Tom Rodriguez. These 
two men were dear friends of mine and fierce advocates for our 
communities in Nevada, and they will be sorely missed. So I would like 
to talk a little bit about them to all of you and to those who are 
listening as well.
  John Squire Drendel, whom you see right here--I want to celebrate the 
life of this good friend, not just to me but to so many throughout 
Nevada, whose 100th birthday I recognized right here in the Senate, 
just a few months ago.
  John dedicated his life to serving his fellow Nevadans and being a 
voice for those who had none, and, for 70 years, he shaped Nevada's 
legal community.
  On August 4, 1923, John was born in Carson Valley, NV, a beautiful 
rural community just south of Carson City. In the midst of the Great 
Depression, John left home to work on a nearby ranch and complete his 
studies at Douglas County High School.
  During his first semester at the University of Notre Dame, in the 
fall of 1941, the bombing of Pearl Harbor altered the trajectory of his 
life. John served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant and as a commander 
of a landing craft tank in Pacific Islands.
  In 1945, when John was on leave from his Navy training, he came here 
to Washington, DC, where he met none other than President Harry Truman, 
as you see right here--you see him on the left--two inspiring men who 
spent their lives giving back to the community.
  And following the end of World War II, John took advantage of the 
education benefits provided in the GI bill to complete his 
undergraduate education, and he attended law school at the University 
of Colorado. After obtaining his law degree, John returned home to 
Nevada with his wife Marilyn to raise their four children and work as a 
Nevada highway patrolman.
  In 1950, John passed the Nevada bar exam and later partnered with 
William

[[Page S4014]]

O. Bradley to form Bradley & Drendel, a premier personal injury firm in 
Northern Nevada. And, in 1957, in order to make their services more 
accessible to their clients, the two selected a converted garage in 
Reno, NV, to serve as their firm's office.
  Now, by 1970, John had solidified his reputation by representing a 
diesel mechanic from Ely, NV, who suffered from a debilitating injury 
while at work. John won the highest verdict awarded to a single 
plaintiff in the United States at that point in time, providing 
financial security for the mechanic and his family. And, today, his 
firm--that firm, Bradley & Drendel--continues to serve our community in 
Northern Nevada, and, currently, John's son Thomas is of counsel to the 
firm.
  Now, you have to know that John was deeply respected by so many in 
Nevada--by his peers in Nevada's legal community, as a founding member 
and former president of the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association and the 
Washoe County Bar Association. John was honored with countless 
accolades throughout the duration of his career, including the Lifetime 
Achievement Award from the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, in the 
year 2001.
  John strived for excellence throughout his career. His professional 
accomplishments are surpassed only by the wonderful family and 
community that he built in the Silver State.
  He is survived by his children, Mary, John, and Thomas; their 
grandchildren, Sarah, Andrew, Anne, Clara, Nathaniel, Mary, and 
Matthew; and their four great-grandchildren.
  I am honored to recognize his incredible life on the Senate floor 
today. He was a dear friend and an incredible advocate for so many in 
Nevada, and I know not only will I, but many will miss him. And I am 
honored to be able to recognize him today with all of you.