[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 95 (Friday, June 8, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5005-H5008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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                HONORING WILLIAM ``BILL'' HAMILTON, JR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2017, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bill Hamilton, Jr. of 
Overland Park, Kansas, who passed away on January 4, 2018. Bill was 
born in Dallas, Texas, on February 18, 1918. In 1940, he graduated from 
the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, now known as Texas 
A&M University, with a degree in civil engineering.
  In World War II, Bill served as a lieutenant in the Army. He was in 
command of an antiaircraft unit in the Philippines at Corregidor 
Island. Bill was part of the American defensive forces trying to hold 
Corregidor Island from the Japanese.
  Fighting valiantly, the American forces held the island for 5 months, 
only surrendering to Japanese forces after all ammunition and supplies 
were exhausted. The Japanese had expected to take the island in 3 
weeks.
  On April 21, 1942, while defending Corregidor, he and approximately 
24 other Texas Aggies gathered together at The Rock, as Corregidor is 
now known, to observe Aggie Muster. While Japanese bombs fell on the 
island, those Aggies participated in this proud tradition and called 
the roll for those Aggies who had lost their lives during the preceding 
months. This event during wartime brought the solemn Aggie Muster 
tradition to the attention of the entire world.
  With the passing of Bill Hamilton, we have lost the last of the 
survivors of the 1942 Muster at The Rock.
  After being captured at Corregidor Island, Bill spent 3\1/2\ years as 
a prisoner of war, being held at camps, including Camp Cabanatuan in 
the Philippines and Camp Fukuoka in Japan.
  Amazingly, Bill was a passenger on three Japanese prisoner ships that 
were struck by the U.S. Army Air Force, yet he survived all three 
incidents.
  In August of 1945, he was finally liberated by the American forces 
from Camp Hoten in Manchuria. For his honorable and distinguished 
service, Bill received many honors, including a Bronze Star, a Purple 
Heart, the Distinguished Unit Badge, three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the 
Prisoner of War Medal.
  After the war, Bill resumed life in America, and he married the love 
of his life, Margaret Jacobs, in 1946. He also began working for the 
Santa Fe Railroad as a bridge engineer. Bill worked for the Santa Fe 
Railroad company for 38 years and was known as an exemplary employee.
  A man of great character, Bill was an integral part of the veterans 
community and was a member of the Reserve Officers Association, 
Defenders of the Bataan and Corregidor, and American Ex-Prisoners of 
War.
  Mr. Speaker, selfless service to those around him defined Bill 
Hamilton's life. He worked tirelessly to defend our freedom and to 
better communities in which he lived. He is loved by his community, and 
he certainly left an enduring impression on our Nation. He will be 
forever remembered as a selfless soldier, community member, husband, 
father, friend to hundreds, and an honorably fighting Texas Aggie.
  My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to 
the Hamilton family. We also lift up the family and friends of Bill in 
our prayers.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the Capitol 
to honor the life and legacy of Bill Hamilton, Jr.
  As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our 
country during these difficult times, for our military men and women 
who protect us from external threats, and for our first responders who 
protect us here at home.


                       Honoring Wilton A. Lanning

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Wilton Lanning of 
Waco, Texas, who passed away on January 10, 2018.
  Wilton was born on June 12, 1936, in Waco. He graduated from Waco 
High School and would go on to graduate from Baylor University and 
would be a proud Baylor Bear for the rest of his life. At Baylor, 
Wilton met his wife of 57 years, Lanell ``Lee'' Lanning.
  Wilton was a lifelong Waco resident, a proud advocate for Waco 
businesses, and an avid amateur historian of the city. He worked for 40 
years at Waco's then oldest business, Tom Padgitt, Inc., where he 
served as president and CEO.
  Always looking for ways to push development in Waco, he served as the 
executive director of the Waco Business League, chairman of the Greater 
Waco Chamber of Commerce, and he was a member of the Baylor Waco

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Foundation. He also served on several boards, including the Hillcrest 
Baptist Medical Center, the Waco Industrial Foundation, the Waco 
Mammoth Foundation, the Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, 
and as president of the board of the Waco YMCA.
  Upon his retirement from the Waco Business League, Wilton received 
the Waco Business League Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also the 
recipient of awards such as the James H. Lockwood Masonic Lodge 1343, 
the A.F. & A.M. Community Builder Award, the National Philanthropy 
Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Silver Eagle Award from the Boy 
Scouts of America.
  Wilton built his life on a foundation of serving and giving back to 
others, a value he learned as an Eagle Scout and certainly reenforced 
by his father who served as a captain in the United States Army.
  Wilton was a lifelong supporter of Baylor University and an active 
member of the Baylor Alumni Association. In recognition of this, his 
family has received the Baylor Alumni Association's First Family of 
Baylor Award.
  Wilton also held a special place in his heart for the Waco-born soft 
drink, Dr Pepper. As a result, he cofounded the Dr Pepper Museum in 
Waco, which details the origins of this famous soft drink.
  When he became a grandfather, he asked to be called ``Dr Pepper'' by 
his grandkids. When he was rebuffed, he settled on being called, 
simply, ``Pepper.''
  Mr. Speaker, Wilton Lanning worked tirelessly to better the Waco 
community. From his 40 years at Padgitt's to his time with the Business 
League, Wilton certainly left an impression on central Texas. He will 
be forever remembered by his passion for Waco as a great 
philanthropist, a businessman, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and 
a friend.
  My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to 
the Lanning family. We also lift up the family and friends of Wilton in 
our prayers.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the Capitol 
to honor the life and legacy of Wilton Lanning.
  As I close, I urge all Americans to continue praying for their 
country during these difficult times, for our military men and women 
who protect us from external threats, and for our first responders who 
protect us here at home.


                      Honoring Beatrice Rodriguez

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Beatrice Rodriguez of 
Bryan, Texas, who passed away on February 28, 2018.
  Beatrice was born in Somerville, Texas, in 1941. Her father was a 
railroad worker, who was paralyzed on the job while he was in his 
thirties. Her mother took care of the home and her father after he was 
paralyzed.
  Beatrice was one of nine children and learned to cook at an early age 
to help her family. She also worked as a waitress, picked cotton, and 
worked at a grocery store to earn money for the family.
  When Beatrice was 18 years old, she met the love of her life, Richard 
Rodriguez, at a dance in Caldwell, Texas. After the dance, Richard and 
Beatrice became inseparable.
  Richard asked Beatrice's father for her hand in marriage, but her 
father refused. The couple then decided to elope, which they did on 
October 31, 1960. They were married for 57 loving years and had three 
daughters.
  In their thirties, the couple started their first restaurant and 
named it the Buccaneer. When a chance to move the business to downtown 
Bryan came up, the couple took the opportunity and named the new 
restaurant Casa Rodriguez. Opened in 1978, the restaurant serves 
authentic home-style Mexican cuisine and has repeatedly been voted as 
one of the best restaurants in the Brazos Valley.
  Beatrice was a local celebrity in our Brazos Valley community. She 
was known to always keep up a distinguished appearance in public, and 
she owned a large collection of hats, which earned her the nickname 
``The Hat Lady'' around town. She had a warm and fun-loving demeanor, 
which helped her easily connect to those who encountered her.
  Her caring heart came, in part, from her deep faith in God. She was a 
devout Catholic and attended Santa Teresa Catholic Church in Bryan. You 
could often find her in the church praying for loved ones.
  She was also a loving grandmother and affectionately called Grandma 
Bea by her seven grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, selfless service to her community and to our community 
defined Beatrice's life. She worked tirelessly to uphold the values of 
Bryan-College Station and brought smiles, great food, and love to those 
around her. She is loved by our residents and certainly left an 
enduring impression on our Brazos Valley community. She will be forever 
remembered as a selfless community leader, a wife, a mother, a 
grandmother, and a dear friend.
  My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to 
the Rodriguez family. We also lift up the family and friends of 
Beatrice Rodriguez in our prayers.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the Capitol 
to honor the life and legacy of Beatrice Rodriguez.
  As I close today, I ask all Americans to continue praying for our 
country during these difficult times, for our families, for our 
military men and women who protect us from external threats, and for 
our first responders who protect us here at home.


                         Honoring Joe Rodriguez

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joe Rodriguez of Waco, 
Texas, who passed away on March 15, 2018.
  Joe was born in 1941 in Ansonia, Ohio. His family soon moved to 
Texas, where he grew up under difficult circumstances in a tough 
neighborhood between Bellmead and Waco. The neighborhood was known as 
No Man's Land, where residents were known to dig their own wells for 
water. Joe attended La Vega High School and went on to attend McLennan 
Community College in Waco. During that time, he also met and married 
the love of his life, Alice Martinez.
  Overcoming his difficult upbringing, Joe became a leader in the Waco 
area. He served two terms as mayor of Bellmead and was a union leader 
at the General Tire and Rubber Company plant. He also served as the 
director of the Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation's Head 
Start program. In one of his more prominent roles, Joe also served as 
the CEO of the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years.
  Always sticking to his principles and looking for ways to better our 
community, Joe was committed to providing equal opportunities for all, 
empowering youth, and helping Hispanic-owned businesses in the area 
succeed. He was a strong advocate for minority communities and believed 
that there was strength in diversity, and he advocated for higher 
education as a way so that anyone could make it in America.
  Mr. Speaker, selfless service to those around him defined Joe's life. 
He worked tirelessly to better our community, and he built strong 
relationships throughout Waco. He is loved by his city, and he has 
certainly left an enduring impression on our central Texas community. 
He will be forever remembered as a selfless community member, leader, 
husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
  My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to 
the Rodriguez family. We also lift up the family and friends of Joe in 
our prayers.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the Capitol 
in honor of the life and legacy of Joe Rodriguez.
  As I close today, I ask all Americans to continue praying for our 
country during these difficult times, for our military men and women 
who protect us from external threats, and for our first responders who 
protect us here at home.


                        Honoring Arnold Mathias

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, Arnold 
Robert Mathias, of Waco, Texas, who passed away on April 27, 2018.
  Arnold Mathias was born in 1922 in Copperas Cove, Texas. While born 
in very modest circumstances, his parents would raise both him and his 
brother in a loving and nurturing family during the Great Depression.
  After graduating from Copperas Cove High School, Arnold attended the 
University of California at Berkeley and Texas Tech University, from 
which he received a bachelor of business administration.

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  Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Arnold volunteered for the 
U.S. Army. While initially, as an 18-year-old, the bombing meant little 
to him, he ultimately experienced a surge of patriotism for our great 
Nation, and he felt committed to serve. That patriotism and commitment 
stayed with him throughout his lifetime.
  During World War II, Arnold was the leader of a tank platoon in the 
13th Armored Division, 24th Tank Battalion that was incorporated into 
General Patton's 3rd Army. He was wounded in the battle for the German 
Ruhr Valley when his tank exploded while under heavy fire from the 
Germans.
  After recovering from his wounds, he returned to the front lines. 
Once victory was declared in Europe, he was told to prepare for the 
Japanese invasion. He was spared from being deployed to Japan after 
President Truman ordered the use of atomic bombs to achieve victory 
over Japan.
  After the war, Arnold married Margie Dane Calhoun in 1950. Their 68-
year marriage produced a loving family with three daughters who blessed 
him with four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
  Upon leaving Active Duty, Arnold began a long and fruitful career of 
public service. He managed a couple of community chambers of commerce 
in central Texas before becoming a district manager for the U.S. 
Chamber of Commerce headquartered in Houston. He also served as 
chairman of the zoning commission and was elected to the city 
commission and served as the mayor of a small city in Harris County, 
Texas. He then served as the southwestern regional manager for the U.S. 
Chamber in Dallas.
  Upon retiring from the U.S. Chamber, Arnold served as district 
director for the 11th Congressional District, which at the time 
included Waco and other portions of central Texas. He then went on to 
continue working in politics and public affairs as a consultant.

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  In addition to his professional career, Arnold served and 
participated in many civic and service associations, including central 
Texas chairman of the Girl Scouts of America, chairman of the United 
Way, board member of the Lions Club, the Downtown Dallas Rotary Club, 
the Waco Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, the National Trust for 
Historic Preservation, the Cameron Park Zoological Society, Keep Waco 
Beautiful, and the Waco Historic Foundation.
  Arnold's Christian faith was also very important to him and his 
family. At one time or another, he headed nearly every office in the 
local congregation of which he was a member. He also held leadership 
positions as the president of the Lone Star District of the Walther 
League, as state treasurer of the Lutheran Laymen's League, and as a 
member of the Board of Directors of the Texas District of the Lutheran 
Church.
  As a veteran, Arnold's post-military affiliations included the 
Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, and the Military Order 
of the Purple Heart.
  In 2012, Arnold was nominated by members of our community to receive 
the Texas 17th Congressional District Veteran Commendation. It was an 
honor to bestow him with this unique award that recognized not only his 
selfless service to our Nation, but also a community volunteer to our 
central Texas community.
  Even after Arnold's death, his service continued as he had his body 
sent to the Anatomical Board of the State of Texas for use in teaching 
and scientific purposes.
  Mr. Speaker, selfless service to those around him defined Arnold's 
life. He worked tirelessly to better our community and built strong 
relationships in Waco. He is loved by his city, and certainly left an 
enduring impression on our central Texas community. He will be forever 
remembered as a selfless community leader, a war hero, a veteran, a 
husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, and a dear 
friend.
  My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest condolences to the Mathias 
family. We also lift up the family and friends of Arnold in our 
prayers.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the Capitol 
to honor the life and service of Arnold Mathias.
  As I close today, I ask all Americans to continue praying for our 
country during these difficult times, for our military men and women 
who protect us from external threats, and for our first responders who 
protect us here at home.


                      Honoring Emily Tooker-Blake

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Emily Tooker-Blake of 
Waco, Texas, who turned 100 years old on March 18, 2018.
  Emily was raised during the Great Depression, and worked as an 
assistant to her father, who was a dentist in Waco. Money was difficult 
to come by, and her father used to trade dental work for eggs or 
chickens to feed their family.
  Graduating from Waco High School, Emily soon married Leslie Tooker, 
who worked for his father and who owned an ice cream shop in town. 
Leslie eventually learned the dental tradecraft from his father-in-law 
and followed in his footprints to become a dentist in Waco. Emily 
worked alongside her husband, working as a part-time dental assistant 
until her retirement at age 60.
  Emily and Leslie raised three children: Max; Leslie, Jr.; and their 
daughter, Leroy. Emily and Leslie also had a knack for adventure and 
followed their son, Leslie, Jr., to South America, living there until 
moving back to Texas in 1990.
  Today, Emily lives with her daughter in Waco. She still makes her own 
food and her mind is super sharp. She listens to talk radio daily and 
is a strong Republican. She loves to tell stories about her colorful 
past to friends and family, and she is surrounded by a community who 
loves her.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Emily Tooker-Blake on this 
joyous occasion, and I know that her family and friends love her and 
are proud of her. I wish her many more years of health and happiness.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the Capitol 
to honor Emily Tooker-Blake on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
  As I close today, I ask all Americans to continue praying for our 
country during these difficult times, for our military men and women 
who protect us from external threats, and for our first responders who 
protect us here at home.


      Honoring the Brazos County World War I Centennial Committee

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the men and women who 
trained in Brazos County, Texas, who defended our freedom during World 
War I. I also rise to recognize the Brazos County World War I 
Centennial Committee, who are making sure these veterans are honored on 
the 100-year anniversary of the United States entering World War I.
  Brazos County has a deep history with World War I. In 1917, the 
United States Council of Defense selected Texas A&M University as one 
of the six colleges in the United States to host training for a 
division of the United States Army Signal Corps. Signal Corps members 
received instruction in: electrical engineering, telegraphy, radio 
work, induction sets, pack sets, field work, visual signaling, 
telephony, dry and storage batteries, outside wiring, switch boards, 
and construction of lance pole and tripod lines.
  Texas A&M University was also the only Allied training location for 
meteorology, and trained nearly 4,000 troops and mechanics.
  The Brazos County World War I Centennial Committee has identified 
over 800 veterans buried in Brazos County, and it is committed to 
honoring their memory as the centennial of their service approaches. 
Among those veterans buried in Brazos County are men, women, African 
Americans, Jewish Americans, Hispanics, and first-generation Americans.
  It is an honor to recognize their distinguished service to our 
country during our time of great need, and to recognize the Centennial 
Committee for their work to make sure that these veterans' legacies are 
honored and remembered not only on the centennial anniversary, but for 
generations to come.

  Our Brazos County cities of Bryan and College Station have each 
joined with the Brazos County World War I Centennial Committee to 
proclaim

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April 17, 2017, as World War I Remembrance Day. I encourage other 
communities in our great country to consider taking similar actions.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the Capitol 
to honor the life and legacy of those World War I veterans who trained 
in the Brazos Valley, and to honor the Brazos Valley World War I 
Centennial Committee.
  As I close today, I ask that all Americans continue to pray for our 
country, for our military men and women who protect us from external 
threats, and for our first responders who protect us here at home.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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