February 8, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 25 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session
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HONORING DR. ROBERT PACKARD; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 25
(House of Representatives - February 08, 2019)
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[Pages H1486-H1487] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] {time} 1215 HONORING DR. ROBERT PACKARD The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2019, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader. Mr. FLORES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Robert Packard of Waco, Texas, who passed away on January 5, 2019. Robert Packard was born on August 13, 1924, in Regina, New Mexico. When he was 2 years old, his family moved to Temple, Texas, where he graduated from high school in 1943. After graduation, Robert enlisted in the United States Army, where he served in the Combat Engineers and the Army Specialized Training Program before being assigned to the Pacific theater and the Signal Corps during World War II. After the war, Robert returned to Texas, where he enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin. He would go on to earn three degrees from the university: a bachelor of science, a master of arts, and a Ph.D., all in physics. After working on national security, defense-related research, and teaching undergraduate classes at UT, he received an invitation to become an associate professor of physics at Baylor University in 1952. While at Baylor, he met and married Joyce Hornaday, his wife of over 60 years. Joyce, who was the assistant dean of women at Baylor at the time, and Robert were set up on a blind date by their students. They were married April 15, 1954, on the Baylor campus. Together, Robert and Joyce lived a life full of love and adventure. In the 1960s, Robert and Joyce lived in Indonesia while Robert was teaching with a medical team in Surabaya and leading Sunday school classes at a local mission. Robert's impact at Baylor cannot be overstated. In addition to being the physics department chair, Robert also holds the record for being the longest teaching professor. Teaching for almost 60 years, he is estimated to have taught a quarter of Baylor alumni with his famous ``Packard Physics'' class. An icon in Baylor University, he was designated as a master teacher in 1990, the highest honor granted to faculty members. He also received the W.R. White Meritorious Award, the Legendary Mentor Award, the Collins Outstanding Professor Award, the Baylor Alumni Retired Faculty Award, and a Baylor University Alumnus by Choice. In 1990, his longtime classroom was renovated and renamed in his honor. Robert's impact went far beyond the classroom. He sponsored many student organizations, such as Taurus, Circle K, Student Congress, and Kappa Omega Tau. He served on the Student Life Advisory Board, Baylor's Athletic Council, and was president of the Baylor University Strecker Museum. In the 1980s, he sponsored the first ever collegiate chapter of Habitat for Humanity. In 2003, he served as the grand marshal of the Baylor Homecoming Parade. Robert also selflessly gave back to the greater Waco community. He served two terms on the Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation, volunteered at the Historic Waco Foundation's McCulloch House and the Red Cross, taught Sunday school classes at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, and assisted the Waco Rotary Club. Both he and Joyce were known for their commitment to Baylor's Mayborn Museum, the Old Main Society, the 1845 Society, the Baylor Bear Foundation, and the Baylor Tip-Off Club. Robert received national recognition for his teaching efforts and was named as an Outstanding Educator of America and an American Man of Science. His talents and dedication were highly sought after by the government and by universities all across the globe, but Robert turned them down, opting to stay in Waco and at Baylor University. Robert and Joyce loved Baylor students as if they were their own family, and they were proud to be a part of that legacy. Madam Speaker, Dr. Robert Packard's life was defined by his service to his family, to our country, and to the world. He will be forever remembered as a husband, a veteran, an educator of thousands, a mentor, a selfless servant, and a great friend. My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Packard family. We also lift up the family and friends of Dr. Robert Packard in our prayers. I have requested the United States flag be flown over our Nation's Capitol to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Robert Packard. Madam Speaker, as I close today, I urge all Americans to continue to pray for our country, for our veterans, for our military men and women who protect us, and for our first responders who keep us safe at home. Honoring Dr. Henry Dethloff Mr. FLORES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Henry Dethloff of College Station, Texas, who passed away on January 25, 2019. Henry was born on August 10, 1934, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Carl and Camelia Dethloff. He was raised in Natchitoches and was deeply shaped by Louisiana's culture and geography. As a boy, he grew up on Cane River Lake and became a skilled swimmer and angler. It is said that Henry was one of the only people to swim the width of the river completely underwater. In 1952, he graduated from Natchitoches High School, and he moved to Texas. In 1956, Henry graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of arts degree. He was then commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy, where he served from 1956 to 1958. After his service, he returned to Louisiana to pursue a master's degree at Northwestern State University. While there, he was introduced to Myrtle Anne Elliot, who would become the love of his life and longtime companion. They married in 1961 and had two sons. In 1964, Henry received his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri and continued teaching as a history professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In 1969, he joined the faculty at Texas A&M University in College Station, and he served as the history department chairman from 1980 to 1985. Henry became a professor emeritus of history at Texas A&M and became well known for his books covering a number of topics. One of his most publicized works documented the history of Texas A&M for its centennial anniversary in 1976. Madam Speaker, Henry Dethloff's life was defined by his service to his family, to our country, and to Texas A&M University. He will be forever remembered as a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a great- grandfather, a veteran, a mentor, a selfless servant, and a friend. My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Dethloff family. We also lift up the family and friends of Dr. Henry Dethloff in our prayers. [[Page H1487]] I have requested the United States flag be flown over our Nation's Capitol to honor the life and legacy of Henry Dethloff. Madam Speaker, as I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our country, for our veterans, for our military men and women who protect us, and for our first responders who keep us safe at home. Honoring Charles Cargill Mr. FLORES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Charles Cargill of Bryan, Texas, who passed away on January 28, 2019. Chuck was born in 1931 in Eddy, Texas, to Maudie and Willie Cargill. He attended Bruceville-Eddy primary schools and graduated from Waco High School before attending Texas A&M University. At Texas A&M, Chuck was a member of the ``B Air Force'' in the Corps of Cadets. During his sophomore year, Chuck met Mary Hall on a double blind date, although they were not paired together that night. The next morning, Chuck called Mary to ask her on a date. They quickly fell in love and were married at the beginning of Chuck's senior year in 1952. He graduated in May 1953 with a degree in business administration and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Upon graduation, Chuck accepted a position with Sears, Roebuck in Waco, Texas. In 1954, he was called to Active Duty and was assigned to Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Alabama, as a supply officer. Chuck concluded his Active Duty in 1956 and returned to Sears, Roebuck in Waco and was later transferred to Bryan, Texas. Chuck eventually began working at Texas A&M University. Chuck held multiple positions at Texas A&M, including director of the University Center Complex, associate vice president for business affairs, and vice president of operations. While working at Texas A&M, he also completed his master of business administration degree. Chuck continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve for 35 years. He received many accolades for his service, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He retired at the rank of major general. Chuck served on many boards of organizations in the Brazos Valley, including St. Joseph Hospital, the First Baptist Church in Bryan, Bryan Hospital, Texas A&M University United Way, Bryan Chapter of Toastmasters International, the Reserve Officers Association, the Aggieland Chapter of the Air Force Association, the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, and the 12th Man Foundation. Madam Speaker, Chuck's life was defined by his service to our country, to his family, and to our Brazos Valley community. He will be forever remembered as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great- grandfather, a veteran, a selfless servant, and a friend. My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Cargill family. We also lift up the family and friends of Chuck in our prayers. I have requested the United States flag be flown over our Nation's Capitol to honor the life and legacy of Chuck Cargill. Madam Speaker, as I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our country, for our veterans, for our military men and women who protect us, and for our first responders who keep us safe at home. Honoring Danny Burkard Mr. FLORES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Danny Burkard of Highland Village, Texas, who passed away on January 19, 2019. Danny was born on December 16, 1932, in Dallas, Texas, to Edward Raymond and Willie Mable Burkard. He was raised on a farm near Rowlett, Texas, and graduated from high school in 1950. He later attended Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets. After graduation, Danny married Mary Francis Irvin in 1954 and was commissioned into the United States Army, serving in the Signal Corps and as an aviator. Danny's service took him around the world. He was stationed across the United States, Germany, South Korea, and Greenland. He also served as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam war. During his time in the Army, Danny continued his education at the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff School and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair. He also graduated from the University of Georgia with a master of business administration degree. Danny rose to the rank of colonel and worked in numerous aviation and command positions before finishing his career at the Office of Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. After his 26 years of Active-Duty service, Danny and Mary returned to Texas and settled in Highland Village. Danny was a devout Catholic and spent more than 20 years following Christ's example, administering to men serving prison sentences in Denton County. He was also involved in his church's neighborhood committees, as well as investment, bridge, and poker clubs. Madam Speaker, Danny Burkard's life was defined by his service to his family, to our country, and to Jesus Christ. He will be forever remembered as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a veteran, a mentor, a selfless servant, and a friend. My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Burkard family. We also lift up the family and friends of Danny Burkard in our prayers. I have requested the United States flag be flown over our Nation's Capitol to honor the life and legacy of Danny Burkard. Madam Speaker, as I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our country, for our veterans, for our military men and women who protect us, and for our first responders who keep us safe at home. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. ____________________
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