[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7917]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                  HONORING DAN PENRY ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this moment to 
recognize an individual who throughout the course of his career--and 
indeed his life--has served the citizens of the United States with 
great distinction, Mr. Dan Penry. After over 25 years of service as a 
Federal Probation and Parole officer, Dan is set to begin a much-
deserved retirement at the end of this May. As family, friends and 
colleagues gather to celebrate his accomplished tenure with the federal 
courts, I too would like to pay tribute to Dan and thank him for his 
service. Clearly, his hard work is deserving of thanks and praise of 
Congress.
  Born in Detroit, Michigan to Marian and Fred Penry, Dan moved to 
Fairhope, Alabama at a young age, a place he would call home throughout 
his formative years. Growing up in Alabama with five brothers--Leonard, 
Fred, Pete, Jim and Tom--Dan was a wonderfully gifted young athlete, a 
talent shared by all of his brothers. He would go on to a noteworthy 
athletic career at Fairhope High School, lettering in four sports as a 
schoolboy--football, basketball, baseball and track. To this day, Dan 
and his brothers are remembered for their athletic prowess during their 
high school days.
  After graduating from high school, Dan experienced first hand the 
defining experience of his generation--the Vietnam War. Drafted into 
the United States Army, he served America in Vietnam as a Military 
Police Officer stationed in, among other places, the City of Saigon. 
Dan broke away from the war effort in September of 1966 on a brief 
furlough to marry Linda Smart, his beautiful wife of the last 34 plus 
years. After marrying in Hawaii, Dan returned immediately to Vietnam, 
finishing out his tour just as he had started it--with honor and 
distinction.
  After returning Stateside, Dan immediately enrolled in college, 
earning his undergraduate degree from Metro State College in Denver and 
Master's from the University of Northern Colorado in a matter of only a 
few years. Thereafter, he went to work for the Texas Commission of the 
Blind, eventually moving to the United States Courts as a federal 
parole officer where he's worked ever since.
  Mr. Speaker, for the last 25 years Dan Penry has served his 
community, state and nation well as a United States Probation Officer. 
While asserting a genuine toughness with his parolees, Dan has also 
shown a compassionate side, earning the respect and, in many cases, the 
friendship of those who have committed themselves to true 
rehabilitation. Dan has been a tireless worker throughout his tenure, 
covering a field area that looks an awful lot my Congressional 
District--a District larger than the State of Florida. Through it all, 
Dan has been a model of integrity, hard work and professionalism. That 
service and leadership will be very difficult to replace.
  As Dan's accomplished career with the federal government winds down, 
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank him for his 
service to our country. I know that his wife Linda, his daughter 
Kristi, and his son Josh couldn't possibly be prouder of him. That, Mr. 
Speaker, is a sentiment shared by Dan's friends, colleagues and 
associates, as well as the United States Congress.
  Dan, congratulations on a job well done and best wishes for continued 
success and happiness during your well deserved retirement!

                          ____________________