[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 49 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING JULIAN BURNSIDE--A TRUE HERO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 2005

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Julian Burnside, a 
friend and fellow veteran whose long and distinguished life recently 
came to an end.
  Julian was an extraordinary man. Born in Tampa, he worked for the 
city as well as for Tampa Electric Company. Later in life he worked as 
a safety engineer for Underwriter's Laboratories. Julian was active in 
the community, volunteering his time and expertise to charitable and 
civic causes, especially during his busy retirement. He founded a 
Republican Club in my congressional district back when being a Florida 
Republican was unusual. He was a loyal Republican who held fast to his 
conservative principles, though he did so amiably and without 
disparaging those who held differing opinions.
  Julian also was a distinguished and decorated Army veteran of the 
Second World War. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where 
inexperienced and battle-weary American soldiers stopped German troops 
from breaching their lines and splitting Allied Forces. British Prime 
Minister Winston Churchill called it ``undoubtedly the greatest 
American battle of the war,'' which thwarted Hitler's last attempt to 
stop surging Allied fortunes. Julian justifiably was proud that some 
believed it was the greatest battle in American military history, a 
battle in which he was injured and earned the Purple Heart.
  Julian also endured a seven-month stay as a prisoner-of-war in 
Dresden, Germany, a time during which he lost 60 pounds from near 
starvation. He credited thoughts of his wife, and of the desire to 
again eat pork chops, for helping him get through those tough times. 
``I could see those pork chops frying in a pan,'' he once said in his 
typical lighthearted way.
  Mr. Speaker, I was blessed to know Julian Burnside for so many years 
and benefit from his friendship, humor, and kindness. I will miss him 
as will everyone whose lives he touched.

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