[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 213]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MURRELL MITCHELL, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 6, 2009

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Murrell Mitchell, Sr., a pillar of the community in Corbin, Kentucky, 
who sadly passed away on November 18, 2008 at the age of 91.
  Murrell's life was a testament to his love for his community, the 
Commonwealth of Kentucky, his country, and the Lord. A hard worker and 
small business owner, Murrell was a fixture of southeastern Kentucky. 
In addition to his entrepreneurial efforts, Murrell also served as a 
member of the Knox County Kentucky School Board, as well as three terms 
as a Knox County magistrate.
  Murrell was also devoted to serving the Lord and working in his 
church, the Grace Baptist Church in Corbin Kentucky, where he was a 
deacon for many years. As a faithful member of the congregation for 
most of his life, Murrell also served as Sunday school director as well 
as church treasurer.
  Through all of his successes, Murrell had a deep abiding love for his 
family. He was married to his wife, Opal, for over 70 years. Together 
they have been the loving parents of 7 children, 15 grandchildren and 
32 great-grandchildren. Murrell's presence as father, grandfather, 
deacon, and rock of the community will be sorely missed.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in honoring the 
memory of Murrell Mitchell. Although he has departed from us in body, 
his memory will live on in each of us who were honored to know him. 
While we will miss him in this life, we know that his residence today 
is far better than ours is here. And we will be satisfied in that 
knowledge until we meet again.

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