[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S3007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO GEORGE GARRISON

 Mr. SCHMITT. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Mr. George 
Garrison of Joplin, MO, for his storied career of public service and 
for his 95th birthday.
  Born on April 15, 1930, in Joplin, MO, George attended Joplin High 
School, where he played baseball and football. His passion and talent 
led him to play class D professional baseball, and while he had signed 
a contract to play Triple-A professional baseball--fulfilling a dream--
he was actually drafted by the U.S. Army in January 1952. Shortly after 
being drafted, George married his high school sweetheart Barbara on 
February 1, 1952.
  Like many young men his age, George was deployed to Korea. He served 
with the U.S. Army's 7th Infantry Division, 47th Field Artillery 
Battalion, where he drove the battalion commander to and from the 
frontlines. After 20 months of brave service to our country, including 
his deployment, George retired as a corporal in the U.S. Army and 
returned home to his beloved wife in Missouri.
  After his military career, George went back to school and finished 
his degree in education. He became a public school teacher and coach in 
Raymore, MO; where he taught industrial arts, history, physical 
education, and coached basketball and track. Having played sports 
himself, he was dedicated to the betterment of his students and the 
character building that comes through sports.
  Following his tenure in Raymore, George and Barbara moved back to 
Joplin where Geroge taught at Webb City High School. Both the ninth 
grade basketball and football teams he coached in 1957 led undefeated 
seasons. George then went on to become an assistant principal at Webb 
City Junior High School, and the couple moved to Webb City. Given his 
years of teaching and coaching for the Webb City School District and 
his proven leadership skills, in 1967, George was tapped as assistant 
superintendent. After 27 years of service in public education, George 
retired in 1984.
  In addition to his decades of work with students and parents, George 
served as chairman of the Webb City Park Board, where he led the city 
in purchasing the land for the city's well-known King Jack Park, where 
he has since watched his grandkids play baseball and softball.
  Whether in Joplin or Webb City, George has faithfully served his 
church--first as a charter member at Fellowship Bible Church in Joplin, 
where he helped in the youth group, and then as a deacon, Sunday school 
teacher, member of the choir, and of course, the softball coach, at 
Emmanuel Baptist Church in Webb City.
  George has been happily married for 73 years and enjoys spending time 
with his three daughters, who all reside in Webb City, MO; his seven 
grandchildren; and his three great-grandchildren, with two more on the 
way. I thank George for his military service, his work in the Missouri 
public school system, and I wish George all the best upon reaching this 
impressive milestone of 95 years.

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