[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 77 (Monday, June 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1036]]
                        TRIBUTE TO SHELLY BAUGH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 19, 2000

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to share the story 
of a young woman from Centralia, IL, Shelly Baugh. Shelly's father 
served his country honorably and was killed during the Vietnam conflict 
when she was only 3 months old.
  Until recently, she had spent her life trying to find any details out 
about her father, Pvt. Richie Githins. Twelve years ago a man who had 
served with her father made contact with her. His name was Chuck 
Gregoire of Allen Park, MI. Since then Shelly and Chuck have spent many 
hours together talking about her brave father. The pair also traveled 
to Vietnam together to see the place where her father was killed at gun 
point.
  With yesterday being Flag Day, and with Father's Day just around the 
corner, Shelly's story is especially poignant. It is easy to get caught 
up in our day-to-day struggles, that we sometimes forget what is truly 
important--our family and our spirit. Shelly never forgot these values.
  I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Shelly for 
keeping the story of her father alive. Her father gave the ultimate 
sacrifice to protect our flag and our way of life. Shelly has fought 
hard to capture and remember her father's spirit. To both of them, I 
say thank you for a job well done.

                          ____________________