[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1522]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNITION OF MERLE J. PRATT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARY JO KILROY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 22, 2010

  Ms. KILROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Merle J. Pratt, a 
great American who has worked for decades to protect our nation, 
advocate for our veterans, and strengthen the State of Ohio. Currently 
a resident of Powell, Ohio, Merle has loyally served our nation as a 
member of the United States Navy, an employee for the State of Ohio, 
and a leader in numerous community organizations.
  Merle served in the U.S. Navy for 26 years, including five years of 
active duty and over two decades in the U.S. Naval Reserve until his 
retirement in 1994 as a chief petty officer. Merle also served the 
Buckeye State in the Ohio Secretary of State's office and the Ohio 
Attorney General's office. After 26 years of service, Merle retired 
from his position as the Director of Constituent Services and Veteran 
Liaison for the Ohio Attorney General's office in 2009. His devotion to 
helping Ohio citizens and veterans inspired Ohio Attorney General Jim 
Petro to award Merle with the Innovation and Excellence Award in 2003.
  In addition to his career as a public servant in the State of Ohio, 
Merle has served as a trustee, chairman, or president for many 
organizations and chapters dedicated to helping our nation's veterans, 
including the Military/Veterans Educational Foundation, Vietnam 
Veterans of America, the Columbus Veterans Day Parade Committee, the 
American Legion, the Franklin County Veteran's Memorial Board of 
Trustees, the Ohio Governor's Veterans Advisory Committee, and the Ohio 
Attorney General's Veterans Advisory Council. He has also been a 
longtime member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Executive Committee, 
the Inter-Service Family Assistance Committee, the Ohio Veterans 
Employment and Training Council, and the Ohio Military Activation Task 
Force. Merle has been a Life Member of AMVETS Post 89 and served as the 
Chairman of the AMVETS State Legislative Committee from 1999 to 2009, 
during which he was awarded the prestigious AMVETS Silver Helmet Civil 
Servant of the Year award in 2004 for his passion and continued service 
to veterans in central Ohio. As a true public servant, Merle is 
continuing to actively participate in veterans services, and is 
currently serving as Commander for the AMVETS Department of Ohio.
  Throughout his life, Merle has inspired those around him with his 
continued dedication to helping veterans and military families. On 
February 20, 2010, Merle will be recognized by the AMVETS Department of 
Ohio for his decades of invaluable service. I am proud to join this 
group in honoring Merle Pratt, whose leadership and commitment to our 
veterans, both in the Columbus community as well as around the nation, 
has been an inspiration and a blessing in the lives of countless 
Americans.

                          ____________________