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“TRIBUTE TO WAYNE A. SIMMONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S997 on Feb. 6, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO WAYNE A. SIMMONS
Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to offer a tribute to a real American hero and a dedicated public servant who recently passed away.
Gunner's mate first class Wayne A. Simmons, U.S. Navy retired, died on December 14 at the age of 72 at a hospital in Birmingham, AL, where he was undergoing treatment for a vascular ailment.
Mr. Simmons, who lived in College Park, MD, was born in Minnesota and moved to the Washington, DC area as a child. In 1940, he dropped out of McKinley High School in DC to enlist in the Canadian Army to serve in World War II. When it was discovered that he was underage, he was sent home. On his 17th birthday, with the permission of his parents, Wayne Simmons enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Simmons was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese force attacked the base and ushered the United States into World War II. He served in the Pacific during the war, including service aboard the light cruiser, Reno, and was recognized for his efforts in saving the ship from sinking after an enemy torpedo attack. Following the war, Mr. Simmons served on several more ships and stations until he was medically retired from active duty as a gunner's mate first class in 1953.
Following his Naval career, Mr. Simmons settled back in the Washington, DC area, and earned both a bachelor of science and master's degree in accounting from Benjamin Franklin University while working for Gateway Finance in Mount Rainier. He joined the Department of Agriculture in 1968, where he was a food program specialist until his retirement in 1982.
Mr. Simmons attended Berwyn Baptist Church in College Park, MD, for 40 years and served as a deacon in his church. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 33 in Washington, DC and the Birmingham Masonic Lodge in Beltsville, MD.
Mr. Simmons's family includes his lovely wife of 46 years, Patricia W. Simmons of College Park, MD; two daughters, Patricia S. Bradshaw of Silver Spring, MD, and Peggy E. Wagner of Crownsville, MD; two sons, Wayne S. and Michael L. Simmons, both of Bowie, MD; and eight grandchildren.
Mr. President, Wayne Simmons's life was one of service and devotion--
exemplary service to the U.S. Navy and this great Nation of ours and unwavering devotion and love for his wife, his family, and his church. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
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