[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E391-E392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF LCDR ISRAEL G. ``TEX'' SEEGER, USNR 
                                 (RET.)

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2005

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 90th 
birthday of Israel G. ``Tex'' Seeger and to honor his great 
contributions to the United States. Tex turns 90 on March 21, 2005, and 
he will celebrate this momentous occasion on March 26, 2005 at a 
special dinner with family and friends.
  Tex's courage and brave dedication have made our country and the 
great State of New York extremely proud. Tex volunteered for the United 
States Navy on June 30, 1941. After graduating second in a class of 
500, from the U.S. Navy V-7 Midshipman Training Program, Tex was 
awarded an officer's sword for achieving the highest grade in 
engineering for deck midshipmen. Tex began his service as Deck Division 
Officer and Boat Group Commander aboard the USS Edward Rutledge, an 
attack transport, during the invasion of North Africa. He then went on 
to serve as Operations Officer aboard the USS Harry Lee, another attack 
transport, during the invasion of Sicily, Tarawa, Kwajelein, and New 
Guinea.
  In May of 1944, Tex was one of 50 Naval Officers selected to take the 
Preparatory Staff Course at the Naval War College. Following his 
graduation, Tex served as Operations Officer and Flag Secretary on the 
Staff of Rear Admiral Oscar C. Badger, where his duties included 
preparing contingency operation plans

[[Page E392]]

for the Fast Battleship Striking Force, the Divisionary Bombardment on 
the southern coast of Okinawa prior to the invasion at Naha, and the 
shore bombardments carried out on the Japanese islands of Hokkaido and 
Honshu. Tex also established the Pacific Fleet Headquarters at the 
Yokosuka Naval Base Administration Building, where an impressive flag 
raising ceremony for Admiral Nimitz took place on August 30, 1945.
  On September 30, 1945, Tex was separated from the Navy and 
subsequently received the citation and award of the Bronze Star Medal 
from Admiral Halsey. On January 1, 1949, Tex was promoted to the 
permanent rank of Lieutenant Commander, and he was retired in that rank 
in 1954.
  Tex continued his commitment to service through his role as Judge 
Advocate and as a Director of the U.S. Navy League, New York Council. 
Tex currently resides in Manhasset, New York, and although he claims to 
be semi-retired, he is still an active member of the New York bar and 
is engaged in the practice of law in New York.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Israel G. ``Tex'' Seeger for his years of 
dedicated service to this country. Tex's integrity, bravery, and 
stature have certainly made a significant impression on the great many 
lives he has touched. In recognition of this, I ask my colleagues in 
the House of Representatives to please join me in honoring Israel G. 
``Tex'' Seeger as he celebrates his 90th birthday.

                          ____________________