[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF MAJOR EDWARD J. MARTY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I honor and pay tribute to a 
great American, Major Edward J. Marty of Tyler, TX, to whom I had the 
privilege recently to present the Purple Heart Medal which he earned 
more than twenty years ago.
  Major Edward Marty proudly and courageously served in the U.S. Army 
for 20 years, 8 months and 16 days. On January 1, 1969, 1st Lieutenant 
Edward Marty was wounded by a land mine while leading his platoon of 
the 1st Calvary Division through the marshlands and rice paddies of 
Vietnam. Due to fractures in his legs and arms and a traumatic eye 
injury, Lt. Marty was transferred to multiple hospitals and was never 
presented the Purple Heart Medal, as is traditional. After many months 
in hospitals, and exactly two years after he was wounded, Lt. Marty was 
sent back to Vietnam as an advisor to Vietnamese Rangers, but through 
some unfortunate oversight, he still never received the much-deserved 
Purple Heart while on active duty in the Army, or any time shortly 
following his retirement.
  It was not until this year that Major Marty finally received his 
award, and I was honored to make the presentation on November 10, 
during a Veterans' Day program at John Tyler High School in Tyler, TX, 
where Major Marty serves as Smith County Assistant District Attorney. 
It was a moving moment for Major Marty--and myself--and I believe the 
ceremony had a special impact on students at John Tyler who know about 
the Vietnam conflict only through textbooks or personal testimony. 
Certainly, most of the students had never met a distinguished Purple 
Heart recipient.
  As we all know, the Purple Heart is an honor launched by George 
Washington to recognize those who gave above and beyond the call of 
duty and who wear the scar of battle. Major Edward Marty is among this 
elite group of Purple Heart recipients who risked their lives and 
suffered injuries for the cause of freedom. So it is with great 
admiration that I recognize Major Marty today, and as we prepare to 
adjourn the 106th session of Congress, I ask my colleagues to join me 
in paying tribute to this true American hero--Major Edward Marty.

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