[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14228]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF MERLE F. PETERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Marion Berry and I rise today to 
honor the memory of Merle F. Peterson of Dumas, AR. Strong leadership, 
vision, concern for others, and philanthropy were enduring legacies 
left by Merle Peterson. He died on March 19, 2004 after having served 
his nation, state and Dumas with distinction.
  After graduating with an electrical engineering degree from Arkansas 
State University, he came to Dumas in April of 1939 to operate a 
service station his father had bought. In November of that year, he was 
married to Deloris Ellegood, and together they built a successful Ford 
automobile business.
  When Mr. Peterson volunteered for the Army Air Force in 1942, he rose 
to captain and served overseas three years with a bomber squadron in 
Africa and Italy. His wife kept the business operating during those 
years. After selling the Ford dealership in 1976, they continued their 
business and farming operations through Peterson Enterprises and 
jointly led in service and philanthropic endeavors for over 64 years.
  After World War II, Mr. Peterson realized that Dumas faced major 
economic challenges in order to prosper. With other Dumas leaders, he 
worked to establish an industrial foundation and organized a drive to 
buy land for development as an industrial park.
  Mr. Peterson founded Dumas State Bank, now Simmons First, and was its 
board chairman. His financial acumen led him to serve on the boards of 
the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, State Chamber of Commerce, 
and Economic Development Fund of Arkansas.
  Fully devoted to his church, First United Methodist of Dumas, he was 
active in the Methodist Men's Class, chaired the administrative board 
and many committees, and served in important roles in the Little Rock 
Conference.
  A mainstay of the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club, he was 
chosen Citizen of the Year in 1952, and 50 years later was still 
working with enthusiasm for projects to benefit Dumas. An early 
supporter of Arkansas Community Foundation, he was a founding board 
member of Dumas Area Community Foundation. He and his wife established 
scholarships at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and Dumas High 
School.
  A loyal Democrat, he served as a state senator from 1960 through 
1966, was chairman of the County Committee for 10 years, and was a 
volunteer staff member for Governor Bill Clinton for 12 years. He was a 
leader in the Clinton gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, and was 
named to the U.S. Electoral College in 1996. He received the Arkansas 
Democrats' top award in 1994.
  Many state leadership and service accolades were bestowed on Mr. 
Peterson, but he always credited the people of Dumas for their support. 
He served for the betterment of many and leaves a huge legacy to fill.

                          ____________________