[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.