[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17352]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                IN MEMORY OF ROBERT W. ``RUSTY'' NORTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as we approach year's end, I often 
think back to dear friends that we have lost this year. One I 
especially loved, and miss, is the late Robert W. ``Rusty'' Norton of 
Longview, Texas, a beloved and outstanding citizen who passed away last 
January at the young age of 54. Rusty was a close friend and someone 
that I think about often. He was a successful realtor, a caring 
community leader, a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and a 
friend of so many.
  Rusty was born on November 9, 1947 in Terrell, Texas and had been an 
active member of the Longview community for almost thirty years. After 
graduation with a Bachelor of Business degree from East Texas State 
University, Rusty began working in real estate. He never ceased 
learning about the industry--evidenced by the fact that he recently was 
named a Certified Commercial Investment Member by the Commercial 
Investment Real Estate Institute--the highest certification that a 
person in the commercial real estate industry may earn.
  One of Rusty's most cherished activities was his association with 
Trinity Episcopal Church, of which he had been a supportive member for 
20 years. He was recently asked to become an Assistant Verger, a 
position of great honor, in addition to serving in a number of other 
positions within the church, including serving as a member of the 
Vestry Board and Endowment Board and Mission Funding Coordinator For 
the Diocese of Texas-Northeast Convocation.
  Outside of his Congregation, Rusty had a number of other community 
activities that made him a cherished community leader. He had been a 
City Councilman and charter member of Longview 2020. He served on the 
local boards of the American Cancer Society, the Boys and Girls Club of 
Gregg County, the Salvation Army and was an active member of the 
Downtown Rotary Club. In his spare time he also served as an assistant 
chaplain at the Good Shepherd Medical Center. Rusty's extraordinary 
community dedication and service will be missed by the City of Longview 
and by all those with whom he worked so selflessly.
  Rusty is survived by a loving family--his wife, Andee; his daughter, 
Meredith, and her husband, John Lucas of Graham, Texas; his step-
daughter, Cissy Wrather of Longview; his step-son, David Wrather and 
wife, Janet of Houston; five grandchildren, Jack and Robert Lucas, 
Hunter, Jack, and Abigail Wrather; brothers, Joe Norton of Tyler, 
Texas, Tom Norton of Terrell and sister, Claire Schilhab of Tyler; as 
well as several nieces and nephews.
  I have always felt close to and have admitted this family, and, in 
fact, I have felt that I was part of this great family. Rusty's father, 
the late Tom Norton, took me to my first State Democratic Convention. 
Since that time I felt close to Tom until his death, and I join all of 
this great family in mourning Rusty's death, while rejoycing with the 
memories and the love that Rusty left to all of us.
  Mr. Speaker, Rusty was a dear and special friend of mine who could 
always be depended upon for advice and assistance, and he leaves behind 
him this wonderful family and many friends in Longview whose lives were 
enriched by him. As we adjourn today, let us do so in honor of this 
beloved community leader and outstanding citizen who touched so many 
lives and made Longview a better place in which to live. We will 
remember Rusty and the legacy he leaves us.

                          ____________________