[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 15, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2185-E2186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF JOHN BEN SHEPPERD

                                 ______


                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 1995

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, during the recent dedication of the 
Korean War Memorial and during last weekend's Veteran's Day memorial 
ceremonies in east Texas, I was reminded of the oratorical prowess of a 
legendary Texan and former constituent of mine, the late John Ben 
Shepperd (1915-90). John Ben was one of the first statewide officials 
that I met when I first entered politics in the 1950's. He was a kind 
and considerate man--so capable of friendship--and so strong as a 
leader.
  The caption on the Korean War Memorial, ``Freedom Is Not Free,'' is a 
phrase that was coined by John Ben in the late 1940's and used in 
hundreds of public appearances during his civic and political career. 
In 1953 he published an excerpt of his speeches and entitled the 
booklet, ``Freedom Is Not Free.'' This and his book, ``Freedom's 
Advocate,'' won him the coveted George Washington Medal from the 
Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge, PA.
  John Ben would have been pleased and proud to see his language used 
to memorialize the sacrifices of American soldiers who defended freedom 
in distant parts of the globe, and I am sure that this pleases his 
widow, Mamie Shepperd, who lives in my district in Gladewater, TX. He 
would have joined in the praise and recognition, which is so long 
overdue.
  John Ben was one of America's strongest advocates of democracy. He 
often reminded us that freedom is not a gift to be enjoyed, but an 
ideal that must be defended. He continually called on every citizen to 
uphold and promote our system of government and free enterprise.
  In 1948, as president of the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, John 
Ben organized the ``Freedom Flight.'' According to Jaycee archives, he 
traveled over 250,000 miles and gave three hundred speeches heard by a 
quarter of a million people. As Texas Secretary of State and attorney 
general from 1950 to 1957, he continued to be an eloquent spokesman for 
democracy.
  John Ben had a special concern for young Americans. According to our 
former colleague, the Hon. Jake Pickle, who first knew John Ben at the 
University of Texas, he passionately cared that future generations 
should understand their roots in order to appreciate the American 
legacy of democracy and heroism.
  John Ben's phrase, ``Freedom is Not Free,'' on the Korean Memorial is 
a stirring reminder to future generations and a fitting tribute to a 
dynamic Texan. Mr. Speaker, John Ben Shepperd leaves behind a powerful 
legacy 

[[Page E2186]]
that serves as an inspiration to us all. I ask my colleagues to join me 
today in paying tribute to this outstanding American. His contributions 
to freedom's cause cannot be forgotten.

                          ____________________