[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] {time} 1230 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 [[Page H5006]] 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. [[Page H5007]] 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. {time} 1245 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 [[Page H5008]] 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. ____________________