[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING CAPTAIN MARK SPONENBURGH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2007

  Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise honor Captain Mark Sponenburgh, a 
remarkable and distinguished constituent of mine from Seal Rock, OR. On 
this 63rd anniversary of the ``D-Day'' landings in Normandy, a ceremony 
is being held in Washington, DC to celebrate the dozen remaining 
``Monuments Men'' who served our country with honor and valor during 
World War II. While Captain Sponenburgh was unable to attend today's 
ceremony, I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge the countless 
contributions he has made to our country and community.
  Over the years, Captain Sponenburgh has served others in a variety of 
capacities. He volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1942 where he was 
commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. Stationed in Britain, he served 
campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, and Luxembourg before 
requesting to be transferred to the Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives 
section program under the Civil Affairs and Military Government 
Sections of the United States Armed Forces.
  During World War II, Nazi dictator Adolph Hitler ordered covert 
missions to locate and secure art from every region his regime 
conquered in Europe. As a member of the ``Monuments Men,'' Captain 
Sponenburgh joined an elite multinational force of more than 350 men 
and women serving on frontline military units during and after WWII to 
preserve, protect and liberate artistic and cultural treasures in 
countries occupied by the Allied armies.
  Responsible for having tracked, identified and catalogued millions of 
priceless works of art and irreplaceable cultural artifacts stolen by 
Hitler and the Nazis, the heroic deeds of these unsung heroes continue 
to benefit us all today.
  In addition to having studied and taught in Britain, France, Egypt, 
and Pakistan, Captain Sponenburgh brought his many years of experience 
and skills to the University of Oregon as well as Oregon State 
University. Admired by his students for his passion and intellect, he 
was sorely missed when he entered retirement.
  I joined my colleagues in this chamber last month in passing a 
resolution honoring the great contributions made by all members of the 
``Monuments Men,'' but today I rise, Madam Speaker, to ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring Oregon's last living member, Captain 
Mark Sponenburgh.

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