[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 97 (Wednesday, July 17, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H4771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING A GREAT AMERICAN

  (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me today to 
be able to honor an American war hero, First Lieutenant James Flowers, 
Jr. He enlisted as a private in the Texas National Guard in 1930, and 
from there worked his way up the military ladder and on July 10, 1944, 
Flowers was a platoon leader when he volunteered his four tanks to help 
an infantry battalion encircled by Germans.
  His unit encountered enemy fire, and from there Flowers endured what 
can only be described as hell on earth. While 1 minute cannot do his 
sacrifices justice, please know this man embodies duty, honor, and 
country.
  First, his right foot was blown away by enemy fire. While waiting for 
relief, he lost his left leg below the knee. After two nights of 
desperately needing medical attention and lying severely injured, 
Americans finally came to the rescue.
  Nominated for the Medal of Honor, he was awarded four medals for his 
bravery and valor.
  While some would be hardened and angry after this unspeakable kind of 
tragedy, Flowers persevered. After being discharged, he attended SMU 
and began working in the prosthetics department of the VA. He moved to 
the Dallas VA where he established the first prosthetics treatment 
center in the Nation.
  Flowers has given so much to this country in his area of expertise. 
He exemplifies our greatest generation. God bless him and God bless our 
servicemen and women around the world.

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