[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE JOHN YATES

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                       HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2005

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of the 
members of the greatest generation our nation has known. The Honorable 
John Yates, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives 
exemplifies a life of service to causes greater than himself, and his 
example should be known and followed across this nation.
  During his youth in rural Spalding County, Georgia, Representative 
Yates grew up on a family farm, working in the cotton fields to help 
pay for his family's food.
  Representative Yates' served in the military during one of the 
greatest struggles for human freedom our nation has known--WorId War 
II. He flew his plane, providing air cover for vulnerable ground 
troops, and destroying German targets. He was involved in key aspects 
of the Battle of the Bulge, and participated as a military observer 
during the liberation of the Dachau death camp.
  After his service to our country, Representative Yates went on to 
work for the Ford Motor Company for many years, while raising his 
family. In that same Spalding County where he grew up, Representative 
Yates continued his service to the community.
  In 1989, the citizens of his home county recognized his past service 
and committed to him yet another great trust--a seat in the Georgia 
House of Representatives. When he took his position there, the 
Democratic Party was still the majority, and Republicans were very few. 
But Representative Yates did not give up. He stuck with it, and is 
today a member of the majority party, as Republicans took control of 
the House of Representatives in Georgia during the 2004 election cycle.
  As a result of his commitment and dedication through the years, the 
new House leadership gave Representative Yates even more 
responsibility--the chairmanship of the Defense and Veterans' Affairs 
Committee in the Georgia House. Representative Yates has continued his 
valiant service to his nation and state in that capacity during the 
course of this 2005 regular legislative session.
  But there is more to Representative Yates, and this is revealed by 
his deep personal commitment to his wife, Annie. Although she has been 
afflicted with some health problems, Representative Yates has continued 
his valiant service by serving and caring for his wife, demonstrating 
his deep affection and the character that is the foundation of every 
area of his life.
  Representative Yates has spent his life in service to his nation, his 
state, and his family, and is an example to all of us.
  Mr. Speaker, I lay before you the life and work of Representative 
John Yates--a man that deserves the highest praise of our nation, a 
dear friend of mine, and a man that embodies the values that make 
America great. I am grateful to call Representative Yates my friend, 
and am grateful for this opportunity to bring the valiant service of 
John Yates to his country, his state, and his family to the attention 
of the American people.

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