[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 44 (Friday, April 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM A. BECKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2006

  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor Major 
General (Retired) William A. Becker, a distinguished veteran of World 
War II and Vietnam.
  A Kaufman County native, William Becker was born on his family 
homestead in 1919. He graduated from Kaufman High School in 1936. He 
later attended Texas A&M College, where served as cadet corps commander 
during his senior year. Upon graduation in 1941, he was given a 
diploma, a commission as 2nd Lieutenant of field artillery, and orders 
to report within eight days to the 1st Calvary Division at Fort Bliss, 
Texas.
  Maj. Gen. Becker was sent to fight in the Southwest Pacific Theater 
during WWII, and in four years, he advanced from the rank of 2nd 
Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel.
  Maj. Gen. Becker also served in Vietnam. Over his 30-year career he 
had a variety of other commands and assignments. His last active duty 
assignment was to the Pentagon with the Office of the Secretary of the 
Army, as Chief of Legislative Liaison, working with the United States 
Congress from 1968-1971.
  During his years of service he was awarded the Distinguished Service 
Medal twice with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf 
Clusters, Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Medal with 
10 Oak Leaf Clusters.
  Upon retirement from the Army, Gen. Becker returned to his home 
community with his wife, Fran, and their four children. In the early 
1970's he established a real estate brokerage and is still active with 
that business. He also served as President of the Kaufman-Van Zandt 
Board of Realtors and Director of the Texas Association of Realtors.
  President Calvin Coolidge once said, ``The Nation which forgets its 
defenders will itself be forgotten.'' As a veteran, Gen. Becker 
understands that better than most Americans. On behalf of the grateful 
citizens of the Fifth District of Texas, it is my pleasure to honor 
Maj. Gen. Becker today in the United States House of Representatives. 
It is because of his service, we are able to enjoy freedom, peace, 
prosperity, and the many other blessings that God has bestowed upon 
this great land, the United States of America.

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