[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF HENRY O'LEARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 15, 2008

  Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory 
of Henry O'Leary, a true American hero who dedicated his life to 
serving this country. As a member of the U.S. Navy for 21 years, Henry 
saw combat in both World War II and Korea, and later supported the 
American mission in Vietnam. When he retired from the Navy in 1963, 
Henry began his new life in San Diego, California, where he dedicated 
himself to serving the local community.
  Henry was born on April 17, 1925, in Worcester, Massachusetts, and 
enlisted in the Navy in 1942. Ten years later, Henry was recommended by 
his command for the Silver Star with Valor for single-handedly saving 
his burning ship while under intense enemy fire and, along with it, the 
lives of his shipmates. For his courage and selflessness, he was 
awarded the Bronze Star.
  After serving in the Navy, Henry worked at San Diego State University 
for 23 years until his retirement. While many often see retirement as 
an opportunity to travel and experience new things for themselves, 
Henry saw retirement as an opportunity to serve others in the 
community, including our veterans. He was a regular volunteer at both 
San Diego's VA hospital and Kaiser Permanente, where his humor is said 
to have brought smiles to many faces. Additionally, throughout his 
life, he volunteered for church ministries, community programs, 
political campaigns, and was involved in the activities of his 
children.
  Most notably, Henry never turned his back on anyone in need. Whether 
it was dangerously exposing himself to enemy fire to save the lives of 
his shipmates or volunteering countless hours at the VA hospital, Henry 
always put others before himself. He was a practitioner of good 
citizenship and remains a shining example of the courage and 
selflessness that continue to carry our Nation forward.
  President Ronald Reagan once said, ``Good citizenship is vitally 
important if democracy is to survive and flourish. It means keeping 
abreast of the important issues of the day and knowing the stakes 
involved in the great conflicts of our time. It means bearing arms when 
necessary to fight for your country, for right, and for freedom. Good 
citizenship and defending democracy means living up to the ideals and 
values that make this country great. Today the world looks to America 
for leadership. They look to what they call our miracle economy for an 
answer to how they may give their people a better life. And they look 
to our courage and might to protect them from the forces of tyranny, 
brutality and injustice.'' Madam Speaker, when President Reagan spoke 
these words, he was referring directly to Americans like Henry, who 
were willing to sacrifice their lives for this country and commit 
themselves to benefiting the lives of others.

  I extend my prayers and deepest condolences to Henry's loving wife of 
more than 50 years, Miriam, and his children Jeff, Colleen, Patti and 
Shawn, and ask that my colleagues join me today in paying tribute to 
the life and memory of this American hero.

                          ____________________