[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF FELIX SPARKS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 9, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and mourn the passing of a great Coloradan, Brigadier General and 
Supreme Court Associate Justice, Felix Sparks, who passed away on 
Monday, September 24th, 2007.
  Although Felix Sparks was not originally from Colorado, his roots in 
the West and his commitment to public service in make him an indelible 
part of Colorado history. Born in Texas and raised in Arizona during 
the Great Depression, Felix Sparks epitomizes the ``Greatest 
Generation.'' Felix joined the service before the World War II, and 
assigned to the 157th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Division, where he 
attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, leading soldiers in the 
European Theater.
  In addition to his brave service in combat, Felix also bore witness 
to the Holocaust. Lt. Col. Sparks was in command of the unit dispatched 
to liberate and secure the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau. In the 
aftermath of that experience, Felix Sparks struggled to contain the 
outrage of his men, some of whom took it upon themselves to execute 
German soldiers in an episode that remains controversial to this day. 
After the war, Felix Sparks often spoke about the Holocaust and 
reminded younger generations that we have a moral obligation to prevent 
such offenses in the future. His service during the war also earned him 
many commendations, including a Silver Star and a Purple Heart.
  Returning to the United States, Felix Sparks moved to Colorado and 
joined the Colorado National Guard in 1947. This began a long and 
distinguished career in the Guard, ending thirty years later after 
Felix had risen through the ranks to become Brigadier General and 
commanding officer of the Colorado National Guard. His legacy was so 
important to the Colorado Guard that the Guard's Centennial Armory is 
named in his honor.
  In addition to his numerous achievements in the military, Felix 
Sparks will be well regarded for his work as a lawyer. He earned his 
degree from the University of Colorado law school in 1948 and moved to 
Delta, serving there as District Attorney. He was appointed as the 
youngest-ever associate justice of the Colorado Supreme Court in 1956. 
Unfortunately, he left the court at the end of the year because 
Colorado then elected our judges and he lost his campaign to keep the 
seat.
  Poor luck at the polls inured to the benefit of Colorado's 
environment, however, because in 1958 Felix accepted a position as the 
director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, where he was 
instrumental in crafting an environmentally sustainable and sensible 
water policy. For his work on the board he was awarded the Outstanding 
Civilian Service Medal by Governor Lamm in 1979.
  As both a civilian and a soldier, Felix Sparks became an icon to all 
Coloradans. He was not only committed to the ideal of public service, 
he excelled at it.
  I can think of no higher tribute than to simply say that Felix Sparks 
was a great American.
  Colorado has lost a favorite son. America and the ideals we cherish 
were embodied in his life of public service.

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