[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5935]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO RICHARD LANGLEY SETTLE

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 2015

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks to commemorate the 
life of my friend Richard Langley Settle, who passed away on April 16, 
2015.
  Richard served our nation in the United States Air Force 
Communications Service at the Pentagon. He graduated from Russell 
County Public Schools, and went on to attend Clinch Valley College.
  He was a 31-year employee of Verizon Virginia, and had an immense 
knowledge of telecommunications and legislative history. Richard left 
the company in 2003, having started as a pole climber and worked his 
way up to Southwest Area Manager of External Affairs. He was President 
of Settle Associates, a consulting group specializing in business 
development, telecommunications, government relations, and economic 
development.
  Richard is well known for his public service, having served as Chair 
and Vice-Chair of the Russell County Board of Supervisors. He also 
served as a member of the Foundation Boards of both the Mountain Empire 
Community College and The University of Virginia--Wise. In 2003, he was 
the honoree of the Mountain Empire Community College Hall of Honor.
  Further, Richard worked tirelessly to encourage economic development 
in Southwest Virginia. Appointed by three Governors, Richard served the 
Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority as Chair and Vice-
Chair. He attended the 2001 Economic Summit in Tokyo, Japan as a 
special envoy of Virginia, and was also appointed to the Virginia 
Workforce Council.
  Richard was appointed by the General Assembly of Virginia as a non-
legislative member of the Southwest Economic Development Commission. He 
also was a charter member of the Southwest Virginia Technology Council, 
and was honored with a lifetime membership. Additionally, Richard 
served as a member of the Board of Directors of Virginia Economic 
Bridge, and held several advisory board positions for privately held 
companies.
  He was involved in additional public service work and charitable 
work, having served as a Deacon of Miller View Primitive Baptist Church 
in Lebanon, VA. He was also an active member of the Sandy Valley 
Masonic Lodge #17, the Wise County Shrine Club, and the Kazim Temple in 
Roanoke, VA.
  Richard is survived by his wife Janet Swearingen Settle of Abingdon, 
VA; son Jamie Settle of Carbo, VA; daughter Sarah Rae Easter, MD and 
husband Nick Easter of Boston, MA; grandsons Tommy Settle and Taylor 
Settle; brother Billy Settle and sister-in-law Judy, daughter-in-law 
Jennifer Taylor Yates, and niece Sally Ketron and husband Wes all of 
Lebanon, VA; niece Lora Beth Settle of Denver, CO and niece Lindsay 
Greer and husband Joe of Damascus, VA.
  Also surviving are his mother-in-law Sarah Baird Hutcheson; brother-
in-law James Baird Swearingen, niece Alissa M. Swearingen MD and 
husband Nick Alexiou, nephew Travis B. Swearingen and wife Aftin all of 
Brentwood, TN; nephew Christopher J. Swearingen PhD and wife Emilee of 
San Marcos, CA; brother-in-law Ray Hutcheson and wife Sue of Franklin, 
KY; great nieces Avery Ketron, Ava Swearingen, Denbigh Swearingen; 
great nephews Joe Hank, Jacob and Britt Swearingen. Richard was 
preceded in death by his parents Richard L. and Lillian Jackson Settle, 
son Robert Kyle Settle, sister Mary Kay Settle, brother Fred Settle, 
and sister-in-law Martha Jones Swearingen.
  Richard's counsel to me and others over the years was truly 
invaluable. His expertise and devotion had a tremendous impact on our 
region, and made it a better place to live. His input and dedication 
will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Richard's family and 
loved ones at this time. May God give them comfort.

                          ____________________