| A Tribute In Honor Of The Life Of The Honorable Fernando Vega |
May 22, 2013 |
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Anna Eshoo, D-CA
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"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a great and good man, Fernando Vega, who lived a life of service to his country and his community, and who died peacefully at his home at the age of 88, surrounded by his loving family. Fernando Vega was born in Houston, Texas, on November 20, 1924, and died on May 9, 2013 in Redwood City, California. Between the bookmarks of birth and death, he accomplished much and served many. He was a devoted husband and father, and his marriage in 1948 to his beloved Tina was an inspiration to everyone. He proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corps where he received the training that led to his lifelong career as an airline mechanic. A transfer led Tina and Fernando to Redwood City with their six children in 1960, a move that proved fortuitous for them and our entire community. Fernando made Redwood City his home and gave it his all. To supplement his income for his large family, he opened Vegas Market and Grill on Middlefield Road. The market was sold in 1984, but it still bears the family’s name. He served on the Redwood City Council with distinction, and was a member of the Redwood City Elementary School District Board of Trustees. He was a Commissioner of the San Mateo County Grand Jury and the San Mateo County Civil Service Commission."
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| Honoring Colonel Mark C. Gardner |
May 22, 2013 |
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Phil Gingrey, R-GA
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"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Mark C. Gardner and to recognize his lifetime of service to our country. On June 28, Col. Gardner will retire from the Georgia National Guard after thirty years of sacrifice and service to this great nation. While he currently serves as the Georgia National Guard’s State Inspector General, he has worked in many different capacities. In 1983, Col. Gardner’s first assignment was with U.S. Army Missile Command, and he has since been assigned to infantry, maintenance, and forward support duties across the world. His career has taken him to Korea, Panama, Afghanistan, Iraq, and several military installations here in the United States. For his distinguished leadership throughout his career, Col. Gardner has been awarded with decorations like the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Army Reserve Service Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. Col. Gardner has played an invaluable role in the U.S. Armed Forces for decades and he will surely be missed. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 11th District of Georgia, my deepest thanks to Col. Gardner for devoting his life to the upholding the Constitution of the United States and to the protection of its citizens. I wish him a happy—and well-deserved—retirement."
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| A Tribute In Honor Of The Life Of The Honorable Robert Howard Bury, Sr. |
May 22, 2013 |
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Anna Eshoo, D-CA
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"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a great and good man, a man who lived a life of service to his country and his community. Robert Howard Bury died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 94 on May 2, 2013. Bob Bury was born in San Francisco to Helen and Howard Bury. He and his sister Gloria lived a happy but impecunious life with them. At an early age Bob delivered newspapers and groceries to help make ends meet for the family. This early training served him well in his later career as a successful tire dealer in Redwood City and Palo Alto. Bob Bury was a fine provider for his family and his life was synonymous with service. He served his country in the United States Navy, with four years in combat in the Pacific. He was a Machinists Mate 1st Class and served on the USS Karnes, an attack transport ship. Bob was proud of being aboard the Karnes during the Battle of Okinawa when the ship was delivering reinforcements of troops and equipment, despite being under Kamikaze attack. Bob also served his community through his many years of extraordinary service to his beloved home town, Redwood City. He served 24 years on the Redwood City Council, seeing the City through many difficult years, and was Mayor from 1968 to 1972. He served in leadership posts in countless organizations, including the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce, the Redwood City Port Commission, Redwood City Kiwanis, and the San Mateo County Visitors Bureau. Bob retired from service only two years ago when he left the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District Board. Bob Bury earned and deserved the sobriquet “Mr. Redwood City”! Bob adored his family, and they him. He leaves his beloved wife of 70 years, June. He also leaves four children; Susan (Harry Battin), Bob Bury Jr. (Sue Subbot), Judy Bury Alessandri (Tom Alessandri), and Patricia Bury, as well as several grandchildren who affectionately called him “Bobbie”. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary life and accomplishments of Bob Bury, and in extolling his life of service to others. I also ask my colleagues to join me in extending our most sincere condolences to Bob Bury’s family, for their loss is a great one. I’m very proud to have had the opportunity to know and work with Bob Bury and even prouder to call him my friend. Through his leadership, integrity and decency, he made our country and our community stronger and better."
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| Congressional Badges Of Bravery |
May 22, 2013 |
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Claire McCaskill, D-MO
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"Mr. President, I rise today to honor six outstanding members of the U.S. Marshals Service—Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Patrick James and Deputy U.S. Marshals Theodore Abegg, Travis Franke, Nicholas Garrett, Jeremy Wyatt, and John Perry—who played an instrumental role in the March 8, 2011, apprehension of a fugitive in St. Louis, MO, an incident that claimed the life of Deputy U.S. Marshal John Perry and resulted in the wounding of Deputy U.S. Marshal Theodore Abegg, as well as St. Louis Police Officer Jeff Helbling."
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| Honoring Law Enforcement Officers Lost In The Line Of Duty |
May 21, 2013 |
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Marsha Blackburn, R-TN
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"Mr. Speaker, there is an old American prayer asking the Almighty to bring “safety, hounour, and welfare of thy people; that all things may be ordered and settled by their endeavors, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations.” I rise today to honor the lives of those the Almighty used to bring peace, safety, and welfare."
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