E2188 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 6, 2011 Maxwell who served his country honorably Barracks, at Fulda, Germany. The unit was re- Drill Sergeant Badge. During his military ca- from a very young age. sponsible for protecting the East/West German reer, Larry earned an Associate of Arts degree Larence C. ‘‘Larry’’ Maxwell entered the border. After completion of the tour with the from Central Texas College. Army shortly after completing 11th Armored, he found himself back at Fort After retirement from the Army, Larry high school and began a journey that would Leonard Wood as First Sergeant of A Com- worked as a Corrections Officer for the see him serve in multiple wars and conflicts pany, 6th Battalion, 10th Infantry Basic Train- Madera County Probation Department, where for thirty-two years throughout the world culmi- ing. he performed duties as an instructor in cere- nating with promotion to Command Sergeant In June 1988, he was selected for the Ser- mony and physical drill at the boot camp. In Major, the highest enlisted rank in the Army. geants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas. 2000, his drill team won the Grand Prize at The son of Andrew and Addie Maxwell of After graduating from the Sergeants Major the Fresno Veterans Day Parade. He was pro- Chowchilla, Larry was born in Madera on De- Academy in January 1989, he was assigned moted to sergeant in 2002 and continued to cember 21, 1946. He was raised in to Army forces at Camp Nimble in Korea as teach and counsel adolescents to become Chowchilla, where he attended elementary First Sergeant of B Company, 44th Engineer productive members of society until his retire- school and attended Le Grand High School. In Battalion. The 44th had responsibilities for du- ment from the Probation Department in Janu- 1965, he entered the Job Corps. In 1966, he ties on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). In Sep- ary 2010. was drafted at age nineteen and subsequently tember 1989, he was promoted to Sergeant Larry is a life member of Chowchilla VFW enlisted in the Army. He completed basic Major and served in the capacity in Korea at Post 9896 and American Legion Post 148. He training at Fort Ord, California and then Ad- Camp Mercer. is a member of the Army Engineer Associa- vanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard After returning stateside, he assumed duties tion, the Noncommissioned Officers Associa- Wood, Missouri, where he was selected for as Sergeant Major for the 535th Prime Power tion, the Association of the United States training as an Army Engineer Heavy Equip- Detachment at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Army, and the Armed Forces Association. He ment Operator. His first duty assignment was The 535th had teams stationed in Kentucky, is a member of the Grace Community Church and is a volunteer with Food Bank. with C Company, 94th Engineer Battalion in Georgia, Virginia, New Jersey, Panama, and Larry has two brothers, Charley Maxwell Nillingen, Germany, where he assisted in the Germany. (deceased) of Idaho, First Sergeant (Ret.) At the beginning of the , Maxwell construction of facilities for ammunition and Donnie Maxwell, Sr. of Madera, and three sis- was designated Command Sergeant Major. In equipment when France resigned from NATO. ters, Donna Lea and Bonnie Bartley of was the next tour for the young the U.S. Army, the leadership position of Com- Madera, and June Maxwell of Cleveland, Army . He was assigned to mand Sergeant Major is the highest enlisted Oklahoma. Larry married his first wife, Linda the 92nd engineer Battalion in January 1968 rank and acts as the senior enlisted advisor to Swilley of Chowchilla and had three children, as a heavy equipment operator and squad the commanding officer and represents all the Garry Maxwell and his wife Tonya of Fal- leader. The 92nd was known as the ‘‘Black enlisted soldiers of the command. mouth, Kentucky, and a daughter Samantha Diamonds’’ and gained a reputation as the Maxwell was made Battalion Sergeant Major and husband Tim Richards of Chowchilla, and ‘‘can do’’ unit during combat operations, earn- of the 43rd Engineer Battalion and deployed to daughter Wendy and husband Chris Yowell of ing fourteen battle streamers in Vietnam and , where he became Command Chowchilla. Larry married Ronda Davis of Mul- four Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Sergeant Major of Task Force 43 assigned to berry Indiana, who has two children, Jonathan Vietnamese Civil Action Honor Medal First echelons above corps during hostilities with Shambaugh and wife Melanie of West End, Class. Maxwell participated in the Tet Offen- . New Jersey, and Courtney Shambaugh and sive and four more major campaigns until his After the Gulf War, he participated in dis- Andrew Watkins of Highland, New Jersey. tour ended in January 1969. He was wounded aster relief during Hurricane Andrew. He de- Larry has thirteen wonderful and very active by enemy mortar fire in May 1968 and was ployed to Somalia twice, first as Sergeant grandchildren. medevaced to the Army hospital at Bien Hoa Major with Task Force 43, 10th Mountain Divi- Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking and after recovery from his wounds he re- sion, and the second time when his battalion Larence C. ‘‘Larry’’ Maxwell for his honorable turned to the 92nd for duty. was attached to United Nations’ forces for the service to our great country, and wishing him He concluded his twelve-month tour and re- construction of Victory Base. He subsequently the best of luck and health in his future en- turned stateside. He took a brief break from deployed to Panama and Costa Rica for civic deavors. the Army for two years before re-enlisting in action projects and construction of medical aid f 1971, and was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, facilities. His last assignment was Command with the 68th engineer Company as a squad Sergeant Major of the 84th Engineer Battalion HONORING MRS. DIANE MCMANUS leader and heavy equipment operator, where and Sergeant Major of the 45th Corps Support he worked on numerous projects including Group (Forward), with the Army’s famed HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD those for the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the ‘‘Tropic Lightning’’ 25th Infantry Division at OF MAINE Mescalero Indian Reservation. After Fort Bliss, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. While at Schofield, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES he received orders to report to the 598th Sup- Maxwell deployed with units throughout the Tuesday, December 6, 2011 ply and Service Company in Kaiserslautern, Philippines, and other areas. After thirty-two Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Germany, where he assumed duties as Class years of service to his country, he retired from recognize the achievements of Diane 3 Distribution Chief. He subsequently was pro- the U.S. Army in 1998 and returned to McManus who will be retiring after 25 years of moted to Assistant Platoon Sergeant of the Madera. outstanding work in the field of commercial Equipment Platoon with the 370th engineer For his service, Command Sergeant Major lending and finance. company. While serving in Germany, his unit Maxwell was awarded numerous decorations Throughout her career, Diane has been a was designated as the best engineer company including: two awards of the Legion of Merit, committed advocate on behalf of Maine’s busi- in the U.S. Army. the Bronze Star, , three awards of ness community. As Vice President of Finance In 1975, he reported to B Company, 43rd the Meritorious Service Medal, four awards of for Development Concepts Inc., she worked engineer battalion, Fort Benning, Georgia, the Army Commendation Medal, three awards hand in hand with companies to locate new in- where he served initially as a squad leader of the Army Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, vestment streams and further develop their and promoted to platoon sergeant. With obvi- Vietnam Service Medal with five campaign business models. Diane brought this back- ous leadership qualities, he was assigned to stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, two ground with her to Northeast Bank where, as the 36th Engineer Group as an instructor in awards of the National Defense Service a loan officer, she continued to provide re- the Basic Leadership Course. His superiors Medal, United Nations Medal, ten awards of sources to help grow Maine enterprise. Her selected him to attend the Engineer Advanced the Good Conduct Medal, two awards of Hu- devotion to local commercial development, Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Upon comple- manitarian Service Medal, the Korean Defense and the successes that followed, have earned tion of the Advanced Course, he was selected Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, her numerous promotions and professional ac- for Drill Sergeant School at Fort Leonard the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry colades. As Regional Vice President and Sen- Wood, Missouri. After graduation from Drill Unit Award with frame, the Southwest Asia ior Market Manager at Camden National bank, Sergeant School, he served as Drill Sergeant Service Medal, Liberation Medal, two Diane is leaving behind a thriving program that from June 1979 to October 1982. awards of the Army Service Ribbon, four covers $82 million in commercial loans. He returned to Germany as First Sergeant awards of the NCO Professional Development Diane has not only excelled within the realm with the 58th Combat Engineer Mechanized Ribbon, the German Schutzenschnur, the of business, but she has gone above and be- 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Downs Bronze and Silver de Fleury Medal, and the yond expectations to serve her community as

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:24 Dec 07, 2011 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A06DE8.012 E06DEPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS December 6, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2189 well. In 2002, she was awarded the Maine site, nestled in a rural mountain fold not far up in public housing, he saw education as a State Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award. from my home. Every phase of the attempted means to future success. Two educators saw In 2004, she earned the Chamber of Com- rescue effort was captured and broadcast his potential for achievement and helped pay merce Ken Additon Small Business Advocate around the globe, and for many tense and his way for college. He graduated from Allen Award, and most recently, Diane was recog- worrisome hours, coal miners were very much University with a bachelor’s degree and South nized as the Number one U.S. Small Business on the minds of the world, holding its collec- Carolina State College with a master’s degree. Administration 504 Lender in the State of tive breath and hoping for a miracle—a mir- Mr. Williams was instilled with the same op- Maine by the Granite State Development acle that was not be. timistic belief in those around him. He started Corp. Now, after the passing of many months, it is out as a social studies teacher, but eventually It is always with some lingering sadness clear that the loss of those 29 miners was not went on to become a principal at five different that I pass along my best wishes for the retire- due to one unpreventable, fateful incident, but, Pinellas County schools. In 2010, Mr. Williams ment of an individual such as Ms. McManus. instead, it was the result of a pervasive, long- was elected to the School Board seat for Dis- Though retirement is well-deserved and will running, callous corporate culture that put pro- trict 7. Local educational leaders, such as the begin a new and exciting chapter in her life, it duction and profit far above people. current head of the local teachers union, credit It is no coincidence that, today, the Mine also signifies that Maine is losing one of its him for seeing leadership in them when he Safety and Health Administration is releasing most dedicated and valued employees. chose to hire them. His hard work, sacrifice its final report on the UBB disaster. This day, Diane’s perpetual willingness to believe in and determination have truly impacted our December 6th—the anniversary of the 1907 Maine businesses has touched the lives of community and continue to do so. countless entrepreneurs throughout the state. Monongah Mine disaster, the worst mining dis- The Tampa Bay community mourns his loss I wish her the very best going forward as she aster in American history—is also the Con- and is so thankful for his many years of serv- takes this exciting next step. gressionally designated ‘‘National Miners Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratu- Day.’’ ice to students and our community. I ask that lating Diane McManus on her retirement and I am proud to have been the author of the you and all Americans remember such a re- honoring her 25 years of impeccable commit- House Resolution that sought to establish this markable educator for his ability to inspire suc- ment to her field and her community. date as a milestone of national recognition cess in others. f and remembrance of America’s miners. It is a shameful truth that each advance in our Na- f RECOGNIZING AMERICA’S MINERS tion’s mine safety system has come only after HONORING DR. CHARLES ON NATIONAL MINERS DAY a mine disaster. But I hope that this day might GRINDSTAFF alter that tradition and serve to bring the miner HON. NICK J. RAHALL II out from the dark of the mines into the na- OF WEST VIRGINIA tional light for at least one day each year. It HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES seems to me far preferable that our national OF VIRGINIA Tuesday, December 6, 2011 conscience be kindled not by tragedy, but, in- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I submit the fol- stead, by celebration. And so I urge that, at least on this one day lowing. Tuesday, December 6, 2011 each year, the Congress and all Americans Watching coal-miners at work, you realize will turn our attention to recognizing the con- Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I momentarily what different universes people submit these remarks in memory of Dr. inhabit.—George Orwell. tributions that miners have made to our Na- tion—its economic vitality and its military Charles Grindstaff, a great man, devoted edu- George Orwell was humbled by coal min- cator, and public servant from Southwest Vir- ers—brave and earnest individuals who work strength. And that we will take this annual op- portunity to help ensure that these men and ginia. Dr. Grindstaff left us on December 2, hard hours, often in cramped, damp, lamp-lit 2011. corners far below the surface of the Earth. He women are assured of safe, healthy, humane Born on September 3, 1947, in Bluefield, W. was shocked by the living and working condi- conditions in which to earn an honest living. Va., Dr. Grindstaff was raised in the small tions he witnessed while he boarded in the America and American miners deserve no town of Bishop, Va. He later earned degrees coal mining communities of Northern England, less. from Tazewell High School, East Tennessee accompanying the miners underground to see, f State University, Radford University, and first-hand, the hot, horrible conditions under HONORING LEWIS WILLIAMS NOVA University. After God and family, Dr. which they labored. Grindstaff’s passion was education. Since ‘‘Down there,’’ he wrote, ‘‘where coal is dug HON. KATHY CASTOR is a sort of world apart which one can quite 1969, Dr. Grindstaff—often known simply as OF FLORIDA ‘‘Dr. G’’—served students as a teacher, ad- easily go through life without ever hearing IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES about.... It is so with all types of manual ministrator, and professor in Tazewell County work; it keeps us alive, and we are oblivious Tuesday, December 6, 2011 Public Schools, Horry County, SC Schools, of its existence. More than anyone else, per- Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise and at Concord University in Athens, W. Va. haps, the miner can stand as the type of the today to honor and highlight the distinguished For over 15 years, Dr. Grindstaff also served manual worker, not only because his work is life and career of the Honorable Lew Williams, the Town of Tazewell as a councilman and as so exaggeratedly awful, but also because it is who passed away sadly on December 3rd, mayor until the time of his death. He was an so vitally necessary and yet so remote from 2011. Mr. Williams was a member of the avid sportsman, enjoyed performing in local our experience, so invisible, as it were, that Pinellas County School Board and a local edu- theatre, and sharing his musical talents. Dr. we are capable of forgetting it as we forget the cator. His impact on our community will be felt Grindstaff leaves behind his wife Suzanne, blood in our veins.’’ for years to come. He leaves behind two chil- daughters Heather and Christina, and his son Even now, in an age of Twitter and reality dren and his wife, Arthurene. Andy, as well as three grandchildren. TV, when every aspect of life can be beamed Mr. Williams was elected to the Pinellas Dr. Grindstaff, through both his work in the around the world in an instant, it is too easy County School Board in 2010. However, over classroom and local government, impacted to forget about the miner and his daily digging his lifetime, his impact was profound. Quiet countless lives. He was also my District Direc- chores, sequestered far from our view, though and reserved, he chose his words carefully in tor Michelle Bostic Jenkins’ principal at Jewell intimately connected to so many of our daily a way that would be sure to have the most im- Ridge Elementary and taught with her mother needs and desires. pact. His colleagues on the School Board for several years. After a flood on the Clinch Yet, from time to time, something happens have noted that he often had the ability to River destroyed many of their belongings, Dr. to remind us of that separate world. Unfortu- drive debates to a solution, while being one of Grindstaff was there willing to help. He was nately, that something is, too often, a tragedy, the quietest individuals in the room. In his time well known for his exceptional goodwill and like the explosion at Massey Energy’s Upper on the Board, he was able to move the district dedication to the Tazewell community. I am Big Branch Mine in Southern West Virginia, on in a different direction and was instrumental in honored to pay tribute to this great man’s April 5, 2010, that took the lives, far too soon, leading the fight for changes in the district’s many contributions. His legacy and influence of 29 hardworking men. superintendent position. will be long remembered in Tazewell and In the hours following that explosion, report- Lew Williams was born in Blakely, Georgia, throughout Southwest Virginia. He will be ers from around the Nation flocked to the mine but moved to Florida at a young age. Growing missed, but never forgotten.

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