[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 82 (Monday, June 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ANGELA WILZ OF BISMARCK, ND

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                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 20, 2005

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, a constituent of mine, Angela Wilz of 
Bismarck, North Dakota, has shown tremendous courage during a very 
challenging year for her family. When her husband--CPT Grant Wilz of 
North Dakota's 141st Engineer Combat Battalion--was deployed to Iraq in 
February of 2004, Angela was forced to face the challenges of parenting 
and managing a household without her partner. Though this is always a 
difficult task when a spouse is serving overseas, Angela's situation 
was especially demanding.
  Angela took over her husband's responsibilities as administrator of a 
local retirement home, working overtime to help meet the needs of those 
charged to her care. On top of these professional duties, Angela 
continued to provide love and care to the couple's three children--
including their oldest child who has special needs.
  To make matters more challenging, Angela was diagnosed with thyroid 
cancer during her husband's tour of duty. After undergoing two 
surgeries, Angela began to experience complications--including 
temporary paralysis that resulted in hospitalization. Never one to feel 
sorry for herself, Angela prayed for her health to return so that she 
could continue to be there for her children.
  Thankfully, Angela is on her way towards a full recovery and Captain 
Wilz is now back home in North Dakota, safe and sound.
  The courage showed by the Wilz family is indicative of the sacrifices 
made by the husbands and wives of soldiers throughout our country's 
history. Whether their loved ones manned a battleship in the South 
Pacific, served in the sweltering jungle of Vietnam, or are currently 
performing dangerous duties in the sands of Iraq, it has been service 
members' spouses who provide love and care to anxious children and work 
long hours to make ends meet. Our nation's deeply felt gratitude goes 
out to all of our servicemen and women and their families who have 
endured so much on our behalf.

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