[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO HAROLD SHWERDT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 1999

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this hallowed chamber to pay 
tribute to Mr. Harold Shwerdt, who will be presented with a Life 
Membership by the Griswold Terry Glover Post No. 803 of the American 
Legion. This honor is well deserved and acknowledges the tremendous 
sacrifices Mr. Schwerdt has made for both our country and our 
community.
  The Life Membership will be given to Mr. Shwerdt on April 28, 1999 at 
the American Legion banquet. The Life Membership is the highest honor 
the American Legion can bestow on its members. Mr. Shwerdt has long 
been an active member of the Griswold Terry Glover Post No. 803 of the 
American Legion, which holds their meetings in Southold, Long Island.
  Mr. Shwerdt's first, and most important sacrifice, was to our nation. 
He is a World War II Veteran who put his life on the line to end 
injustice around the world. During the war, Harold spent time in a 
German prisoner of war camp. For 2 years, Harold was a German prisoner. 
Before his capture, Harold was a well-decorated fighter. He served as 
Flight Engineer for a United States B-17 bomber. It was in his plane 
that he was shot down and eventually captured. For his service to 
protect freedom alone, Mr. Shwerdt deserves our highest recognition.
  After the war, Harold joined this post of the American Legion. It is 
here that Harold's hard work and determination paid huge dividends. His 
countless hours of devotion to assist others have helped both his 
American Legion post and the less fortunate members of our community. 
In his group, he helped to organize and strengthen both their Color 
Guard and their Bingo Team. In our community, Harold has been active 
with the Association for the Help of Retarded Children. He has also 
spent a countless number of hours helping Senior Citizens, Disabled 
Veterans and the St. Partick's Roman Catholic Church.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me and the American Legion in honoring Mr. Shwerdt for his 
invaluable contributions to our community. Here on Eastern Long Island, 
we have the utmost respect for both our veterans and volunteers, and we 
are privileged to have Mr. Harold Shwerdt in our community. Thankfully, 
his service and generosity to our community will never go unnoticed.

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