[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 79 (Monday, June 7, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S6469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       IN HONOR OF IRA WEINSTEIN

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
make my colleagues aware of the accomplishments of an outstanding 
Illinois citizen. This Thursday, June 10, Ira P. Weinstein will turn 
80. As we celebrated Memorial Day just a week ago, I think it is 
appropriate to mention Mr. Weinstein's service to our country as it is 
a constant reminder that without the dedication and bravery of so many 
like him, the freedom we are privileged to enjoy could not be possible.
  Born in Chicago, Illinois on June 10, 1919, Mr. Weinstein entered the 
U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942, just as America was being drawn into World 
War II. Trained as a Navigator-Bombardier, Mr. Weinstein rose to the 
rank of First Lieutenant and proceeded to fly 25 missions during World 
War II as a member of the 8th Air Force 445 Bomb Group, 702nd Squadron. 
Although the 24 previous missions he flew had been safe ones, Mr. 
Weinstein's 25th would be his most harrowing.
  On September 27, 1944, Mr Weinstein's plane was shot down over 
Germany during the Kassell Mission. As he parachuted to the ground, Mr. 
Weinstein found safety and eluded capture for six days. Unfortunately, 
he was found by the enemy and held as a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft 
I, in Barth, Germany. On May 11, 1945, the camp where Mr. Weinstein was 
held was liberated, ending an eight-month ordeal as a POW. For his 
heroism, Mr. Weinstein was awarded several distinguished service 
medals. These include the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the POW Medal, a 
Presidential Citation, the American Campaign and European Campaign 
Medals, the WW II Victory Medal, and the distinguished French Croix de 
Guerre.
  After returning from the war, Mr. Weinstein, like so many others of 
his generation, went on to become accomplished in the world of 
business, building a successful advertising agency respected throughout 
the Chicago area. Despite the loss of his wife several years ago, Mr. 
Weinstein, now retired, enjoys being a grandfather and takes special 
pride in his expertise as a horticulturist.
  I am pleased to take this opportunity today to honor an American hero 
and one of my constituents. As we did one week ago today, we should not 
hesitate to honor our defenders of freedom every day as we enjoy the 
liberty they fought so hard to protect.

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