[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14123]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING RICHARD PAUL ELLIS ON THIS 100TH BIRTHDAY

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                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, I rise today in honor of Richard Paul Ellis on his 100th 
birthday.
  Mr. Ellis has watched his home town of Milton, Florida grow from a 
dirt-road countryside to a sizable city in the 100 years that he has 
lived there. He grew up on the east side of the area and attended the 
Greater Bethlehem African Methodist Episcopal Church and Magnolia 
School.
  Over the years, his life took root and blossomed into varying forms. 
He married in 1930 and proceeded to have eleven children. Mr. Ellis has 
been active in the Greater Bethlehem African Methodist Episcopal Church 
from early on. He strengthened his participation, serving as Class 
Leader, Stewart Board member, and Stewart Pro-Tem. Mr. Ellis also 
taught Sunday School and helped remodel the sanctuary.
  In 1951, Mr. Ellis joined the Shriner's organization and began 
participating in the Pride of Milton Lodge #12 location. In 1965, he 
was elected Worshipful Master and served in the position for thirty-
five years. Mr. Ellis was a charter member of the R.P. Ellis Royal Arch 
Masons and served as the High Priest for five years. After a fire badly 
damaged the Masonic Lodge, which was used as a school building at the 
time, he helped secure funds for the reconstruction of a new school.
  For a century Mr. Ellis has graced the residents of Milton with his 
charity and good deeds. The First District of Florida is greatly 
indebted to his service and is honored to have him as one of their own. 
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to 
wish Richard Paul Ellis a happy 100th birthday, and I wish him many 
more years of health and happiness.

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