[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19908]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MR. RICK MERRI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DOUG OSE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note the upcoming celebration 
of the 60th birthday of Mr. Rick Merri of Sacramento.
  I have known Mr. Merri for many years. I have had the pleasure of 
being involved with the Merri family since the early 1980s. I have had 
the honor of conducting the marriage ceremony of his eldest son Rick 
Jr. I have had the privilege of coaching and playing soccer with each 
of Mr. Merri's three sons. I say with some measure of pride that I was 
a contributor in making each of these three young men into contributing 
members of our American society.
  Mr. Merri has been a quiet and effective participant in various youth 
activities in and around Sacramento for at least two decades. He has 
consistently lent his insights and initiative to making our community 
better for those that come behind him.
  He has not been alone in this effort. Paulette Merri has stood 
alongside him at every step of the way and provided valuable course 
corrections at every step. These two Americans, as a team, without 
regard to recognition or reward, have over the course of their lives 
strived to provide a safe and healthy and improving community for their 
three sons and many neighbors and friends. Truth be told, it is hard to 
distinguish where the efforts of one of these individuals ends and the 
other begins. They are emblematic of so many other Americans across 
this country.
  August 9, 2003, will mark the occasion of the 60th birthday of Rick 
Merri. Rick and Paulette have done a remarkable job in successfully 
raising three sons, who now are each making their own way and mark on 
our country. It is fitting and appropriate that we wish Rick Merri the 
very best wishes on the occasion of his 60th birthday. Happy birthday, 
my friend.

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