[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 90 (Wednesday, July 12, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H5097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ``DOC'' LONG

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. William Henry 
``Doc'' Long, a decorated World War II veteran and a successful 
businessman. He has dedicated his life to serving his country, his 
community and his family, and that is why I honor him today.
  Long before Doc owned many successful family businesses in North 
Carolina, he served in the highly decorated 79th Infantry Division in 
the U.S. Army. Every living American directly benefits from the actions 
of the men of the 79th, and the many military units of the World War II 
era.
  While in France, Doc was wounded when he was hit in the left side of 
his chest. As he lay in the cold night for 18 hours, he was wounded 
again. When he was found the next morning and taken to the aid station, 
his clothes and shoes had been cut off. But his personal belongings, 
just a wallet and a small pocket New Testament with his name inscribed 
on the front, were saved.
  After a few days, Doc noticed that his Bible, which was given to him 
by his aunt, had been hit by a piece of shrapnel which went through the 
entire Bible but caught the outer binding. Doc stated that the Bible, 
which he kept close to his heart, was a gift of life because it 
prevented the shrapnel from piercing his heart.
  After he was wounded Doc was awarded the Purple Heart with the Oak 
Leaf Cluster, in addition to numerous other medals, including the 
Bronze Star, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good 
Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and 
the Combat Infantryman Badge.
  After the war, Doc started his first trucking and construction 
business, Long Brothers of Summerfield, with his brother James. In 1952 
the brothers started Long's Asphalt Paving of Greensboro. Later Doc and 
his brother split the companies. Since then, Doc's children have joined 
their father in his business and, with Doc's help, have owned or 
started their own businesses.
  Doc and his late wife, Doris Westmoreland Long, were married for 44 
years. Doris died in 1990, at the age of 66. Together the Longs have 
three children, Gurney Long, Patty Long-Hill and Charles, who passed 
away unexpectedly last year. They also have a number of grandchildren 
and great-grandchildren.
  Today, at 82, Doc still loves to participate in the business 
decisions and operations of his founding companies. In 2003, Doc helped 
two of his grandchildren start a business, and they proudly adopted his 
original company name, Long Brothers. This company is now located in 
Winston-Salem, where they successfully operate 20 trucks and employ 23 
full-time employees. These endeavors are commendable because only 3 
percent of family-owned businesses ever make it to the third 
generation.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Doc for his devotion to 
his family, his perseverance in all his business ventures and his 
honest and faithful service to his country during World War II. His 
story should be an inspiration for us all.

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