[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 31, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO CLYDE LEWIS

                                 ______


                          HON. JOHN M. McHUGH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 31, 1995

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to pay tribute to Clyde 
Lewis of Plattsburgh, NY, one of the most outstanding patriots of the 
24th District of New York and perhaps our Nation.
  The residents of northern New York and leaders throughout the Air 
Force know Mr. Lewis as the Father of Plattsburgh Air Force Base. Mr. 
Lewis was instrumental in bringing the Air Force to Plattsburgh and 
over the years helped make Plattsburgh Air Force Base the best of the 
best. He has also helped the community endure the recent closing of 
Plattsburgh Air Force Base with grace, pride, and dignity.
  Mr. Lewis formed the original Air Base Liaison Commission in July 
1952. Its purpose was to represent Plattsburgh and help establish an 
Air Force based in the area. The commission succeeded in bringing the 
air base to Plattsburgh and on January 29, 1954, groundbreaking 
ceremonies were held. While the Air Base Liaison Commission changed its 
name to the Air Base Liaison Committee in 1958, its duties and firm 
support of the Air Force did not change. As chairman of the commission 
and committee, Mr. Lewis committed steadfast support for the men and 
women of the Air Force and their mission at Plattsburgh.
  Mr. Lewis understood that Plattsburgh Air Force Base would be key to 
a strong national defense and that support from the community would be 
crucial to the success of the mission as well. Mr. Lewis, himself, had 
a long and distinguished career in the military. During World War II, 
he enlisted in the Army Air Force and was appointed an aviation cadet. 
He earned his wings and was commissioned in March 1943 and served two 
tours less one mission with the 401st Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force. 
Mr. Lewis served successively as a flight commander, operations officer 
and B-17 squadron commander.
  Mr. Lewis received numerous honors throughout his military career, 
including the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, 
the Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Unit 
Citation with one oak leaf cluster, France's Croix de Guerre with palm 
and the European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal with six battle 
stars.
  Mr. Lewis has also been involved in numerous civic activities and 
professional organizations. In 1948 the New York Chamber of Commerce 
honored him as Outstanding Young Man of the Year and in 1949 he was 
named National Commander in Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the 
first World War II veteran to serve in that position. He continues to 
be active in the VFW on the national level. He served as chairman of 
the Plattsburgh Air Base Liaison Commission from 1952 to 1959 and from 
1959 on, he served as chairman of the Air Base Liaison Committee. In 
1975 Mr. Lewis participated in the National Security Forum, Air War 
College and in 1978 the Department of Defense Joint Civilian 
Orientation Conference. He is a member of the Elks Club, Knights of 
Columbus and the U.S. Strategic Institute and Defense Orientation 
Conference. He is also a member of the Clinton County, New York State 
and American Bar Associations.
  Mr. Speaker, Clyde Lewis is an inspiration to every American. He is a 
true leader and an example to each and every one of us of what can be 
accomplished with persistence, faith and dedication. And for all that 
he has done, and will continue to do, we owe him a great debt of 
gratitude.

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