[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING JOHN REX DE VLAMING, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 2005

  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to honor the memory 
of John Rex de Vlaming, Jr. who passed away earlier this year at the 
age of 85. A distinguished Navy veteran of World War II, John was 
instrumental in organizing and planning the Kaufman County Veteran's 
Memorial Park currently under construction in Kaufman.
  John was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and 
the American Legion, serving as the Post Commander of the Kaufman VFW 
from 1976-1978, and later as Post Commander of the American Legion, 
Hamlet P. Jones Post #165 from 1981-1986. In 1990, John earned the 
Meritorious Service Award from the American Legion, and in 1997, he was 
recognized by the VFW for his 55 years of membership.
  President Calvin Coolidge once said, ``The nation which forgets its 
defenders will itself be forgotten.'' As a veteran, John understood 
that better than most Americans, and throughout his life he did his 
very best to ensure that our nation never forgets the sacrifices that 
our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen made to defend our freedom.
  As the Congressional representative for the Fifth District of Texas, 
today I would like to honor the life of John Rex de Vlaming, Jr. and 
the outstanding work he did on behalf of our nation's veterans.

                          ____________________