[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 121 (Friday, September 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1716-E1717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING MR. ALBERT G. HORTON, JR. OF CHESAPEAKE, VA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 2003

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Mr. 
Albert G. Horton, Jr. of Chesapeake, VA for his seemingly endless 
dedication to the veterans of Virginia.
  On September 8, 2003, we will break ground in Suffolk, VA to 
establish a new National Veterans Cemetery, due largely to the 
perseverance of Al Horton. In 1996, as a Virginia State Delegate, I 
created the Virginia Veterans Liaison Committee in an effort to bring 
veterans together and to give a unified voice to their issues. Al 
Horton was a member of that committee and that is how I first came to 
know Al.
  In 1997, Al contacted me and asked me to introduce legislation to 
have a National Veterans Cemetery constructed in the Hampton Roads 
area. Thus, I began a long fulfilling relationship with this very 
special man.
  During 1998, as a result of a bill I introduced as a member of the 
Virginia General Assembly, a study was conducted to establish if there 
was a need for a new National Cemetery within the region. The study 
concluded there were 173,700 veterans living in the Hampton Roads area 
who would benefit from such a cemetery. The distance to the closest 
alternative cemetery site in Amelia is two and a half hours away, and 
the study concluded that this distance had been a deterrent to 
veterans' families who wanted to be able to visit the gravesites of 
their loved ones.
  Based upon that study, I worked with Al in his new role as Chairman 
of the Hampton Roads Veterans' Cemetery Committee to find a site to 
serve as a final resting place for our nation's veterans. An area in 
Suffolk, VA was selected and $650,000 in state-appropriated monies was 
used to secure purchase of the land. Additional money was appropriated 
for the design and engineering of the cemetery, but all those funds 
were to be reimbursed by the federal government through the Department 
of Veterans' Affairs in the form of a short-term Treasury loan. The 
effect of these actions would therefore result in a Veterans' Cemetery 
for Virginia Veterans that would cost approximately $8 million with 
Virginia only paying approximately $650,000.
  Al Horton worked tirelessly, with the help of veterans around the 
state, organizing, leading and overcoming many hurdles to make his 
vision of a veterans' cemetery in Hampton Roads a reality. He even 
wrote a book, ``Grass Roots Politics, If You Don't Like It--Change 
It!!'' which details his experience as an ordinary citizen 
accomplishing the goal of getting something as great as the Veterans 
Cemetery at Hampton Roads accomplished.
  I only wish Al was still with us to see the result of all his hard 
work. He passed away on

[[Page E1717]]

October 17, 2002, in Chesapeake, VA. When Al died, he was at his 
computer rallying his fellow veterans in an effort to ensure the 
cemetery would be built. We were talking with Al on an almost daily 
basis. That was part of Al's essence--never giving up and always going 
the extra mile to make a difference in other people's lives. His 
dedication to the veterans and the State of Virginia will never be 
forgotten.
  Al Horton was a dedicated husband and father. In his will, he 
stipulated that he and his beloved wife, Evelyn, who preceded him in 
death, should be buried in the unfinished cemetery. It gives me great 
peace to know that in the near future Al's wishes will be honored.
  While Al Horton cannot be with us on September 8, 2003, when we 
dedicate the cemetery he worked so hard to create, I know that he will 
be smiling as he looks down. Al Horton understood that the recognition 
and proper burial of our veterans is an integral part of our national 
heritage and an important way for a grateful nation to say ``Thank 
you''. Our veterans have continuously defended and renewed America's 
promise through their efforts. It is only fitting that we honor them in 
their final resting place.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask that we take this opportunity to recognize 
Al Horton for his passion, his commitment, and his love for his 
country. Al was a veteran, an advocate, an author, and a friend to all 
who knew him. I hold Al Horton in high esteem and have nothing but 
respect and affection for this wonderful man. I know my life is changed 
for having met him, because he was willing to make a difference for 
those who fought to preserve our freedom and asked for nothing more 
than a place to rest in eternal peace.

                          ____________________