|
TRIBUTE TO MS. OLA RICHBOURG
HON. JEFF MILLER (Extensions
of Remarks - February 13, 2003
[Page: E228]
---
HON. JEFF MILLER OF
FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 12, 2003
-
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker I rise
today to honor one of Florida's most cherished and dedicated citizens,
whom over the course of her life has given an immeasurable amount of
time and effort to the community that she has worked so hard to build.
On February 15, 2003, the city of Laurel Hill will honor Ms. Ola
Richbourg as its Citizen of the Year for 2003, recognizing her long
and distinguished period of service to the Laurel Hill community.
-
Born on March 27, 1921 in the same wood frame
home where she lives today, Ola is described by her peers as a lady
that will go out of her way to help others. The daughter of John
Franklin and Katie Haynes Richbourg, she learned the value of working
for her community at an early age from her father who served three
terms as a state representative, beginning in 1907. In 1977, she was
appointed to the position of County Clerk of Laurel Hill and was
subsequently elected, in 1979, to the City Council, where she remained
for thirteen years.
-
Even more remarkable is her history of service
to her country. Upon graduating from Laurel Hill High School in 1939
and attending a government-run school in Ocala where she learned
shorthand and typing, Ola joined the United States Marine Corps on
November 5, 1943, during the height of World War II. It was at a movie
that Ola saw a commercial asking women to join the military in order
to free up men to fight overseas. To Ola, it was an easy decision. She
was simply doing whatever she could to help her country in a time of
crisis, but her decision would have a profound impact on the future of
our nation. It was her, and many other women's, choice to fight for
her country, that would open up all kinds of new doors for women.
Following World War II, Ola returned to Laurel Hill, believing she was
done with military service. However, shortly thereafter, the Korean
War broke out and she reenlisted without hesitation. Dedicating
herself to the Marine Corps for nearly two decades, Ola retired as a
Tech Sergeant in 1966.
-
Her strength and determination led her to
fight for her country in one of the most important world conflicts of
the 20th century and to personally win a battle against cancer of the
larynx. Her smile is contagious and her heart as big as they come. She
remembers how a nickel could once buy a big RC Cola and lots of candy
and that fateful day when she learned where Pearl Harbor was, changing
her life forever. It his her kindness and humility that have allowed
her to do so much for so many during her life and I know she will
continue to do so in the years to come.
-
Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my sincere
and heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Ola Richbourg as she receives
this special recognition as Laurel Hill's Citizen of the Year. Her
contributions to the citizens of Laurel Hill and the United States of
America are significant and impressive and I consider her a patriot of
the highest order. On this such occasion, we honor a great soldier,
civil servant, and neighbor; one of America's greatest citizens.
END
|
|
