[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E10]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF ANDREW URAM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 20, 2004

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise today in honor of Andrew 
Uram's 81st birthday. A World War II veteran, loving father and 
grandfather, and upstanding citizen, Andrew Uram embodies the 20th 
century American Dream.
  Born December 18, 1922 to an immigrant father and a first-generation 
Swedish Danish American, Andrew was one of eight children of Andy Sr. 
and Minnie Uram, who met while Mr. Uram was a soldier during the First 
World War. Andrew continued this tradition, enlisting in the Navy on 
March 20, 1941--seven months before the United States entered WWII. His 
initial training was as an aviation machinist in Alaska, however he 
quickly rose to the rank of Seaman 1st class by the outbreak of the 
war. Following his service in Alaska, Andrew arrived three days after 
the invasion of Tawara, located in the South Pacific. There, he saw 
some of the most intense fighting he ever saw during the war, as his 
group was bombed throughout the night by Japanese forces. The sound and 
vibration from the bombs made his whole body ring like a bell, and he 
lost his hearing in one ear. However, he continued to serve throughout 
the night and next day with honor; indeed, his Navy career continued 
for years to come--thirteen in all.
  After retiring from the military, Andrew moved with his wife and 
daughter to Burlington, Washington, and later to California. He 
continued his work in mechanics, this time with automobiles, retiring 
as the Senior Auto Mechanic at the garage he worked in. He and his wife 
retired back to Washington, but have since moved to Soquel, California, 
to be with their daughter and granddaughter. He continues to be active, 
and is well known to the birds of the Monterey Bay coastline, where he 
goes to feed them often.
  Andrew Uram has led a long and honorable life, serving his country 
and raising a wonderful family. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this moment 
to extend my congratulations as he and his family celebrate his 
birthday this year.

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