[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 21, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H8391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SALUTE TO GERARD GAUTHIER, EDWIN KUHLMANN, AND ROBERT STUMPF UPON 
             RECEIPT OF POW MEDALS AT NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of three POWs, and I 
recall the words of President John F. Kennedy who once said, ``In the 
long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the 
role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not 
shrink from this responsibility. I welcome it.''
  Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better words to describe three former 
World War II POWs from Nevada who were honored with POW Medals at 
Nellis Air Force Base last Friday.
  Gerard Gauthier, Edwin Kuhlmann, and Robert Stumpf did not shrink 
from their responsibilities, indeed they welcomed them, ultimately 
enduring the greatest test of fighting men and women, as captives of 
our enemies.
  Just as the Soldiers' Code of Conduct now says, these men never 
forgot that they were American fighting men, responsible for their 
actions and dedicated to the principles which made our country free.
  I stand here to honor these men, men of one of the greatest 
generations for providing the fighting men and women that followed in 
their footsteps the bedrock for returning with honor. As a veteran of 
two of our Nation's wars, I salute their sacrifices and services. They 
are our heroes. They are our Nation's heroes. I thank them for their 
patriotism, their courage, and their inspiration.

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