[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 102 (Thursday, June 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF MR. KING GEORGE PITTMAN, U.S. ARMY, RETIRED

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2008

  Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, Mr. Skelton and I rise to honor the life 
of King George Pittman, who, at the age of 87, passed away on Tuesday, 
June 10, 2008. A man who was extremely proud of his heritage and the 
military, King George Pittman lived a full and eventful life.
  A native of Florida, Mr. Pittman was the fourth youngest of twelve 
children born in Tallahassee to Williams Pittman and Carrie Tansy 
Pittman. There he attended Lincoln High School and was a member of 
Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church. At the age of 21, he joined the 
U.S. Army.
  Mr. Pittman served in the U.S. Army from May 22, 1941 to December 14, 
1956. He fought in World War II and the Korean War. He earned eight 
different awards for his service. He received the Good Conduct Medal 
Bronze Clasp with Three Loops for his loyalty, knowledge, vigilance and 
merit. He received the Purple Heart for his bravery. In addition to 
these, he received the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Service 
Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the United Nations Service Medal, 
the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Korea Presidential 
Unit Citation badge and the Honorable Service Lapel Button World War 
II. Although he received all of these awards, his family never knew of 
his many accomplishments. He served his country with distinction, and 
was modest to say the least.
  A brother, uncle, great uncle, friend and neighbor, Mr. Pittman was a 
proud man who leaves behind his sister, and our former colleague, 
retired U.S. Representative Carrie P. Meek, a constant source of his 
pride.
  He also leaves a nephew, and our current colleague, Congressman 
Kendrick B. Meek of Florida, who proudly serves on the House Armed 
Services Committee, an assignment that surely put a smile on King's 
face. King found pride in all of his family, including nephews Samuel 
Pittman and Charles Bellamy, nieces, Lucia Raiford, Sheila Kinui, Betty 
Jean Pittman and Katrina Presley.
  For his patriotic efforts in the Korean War in particular, King has 
rated burial at Arlington National Cemetery, a high honor and memorial 
for a war hero. The Korean War was too significant to neglect, too 
momentous to ignore, too pivotal to be disregarded, and far too costly 
to be forgotten. And, so we take this moment to honor King, one of its 
many heroes.
  And, he is honored even more by the great family he leaves behind 
with us. King George Pittman lived a long and fulfilling time. He can 
now rest in the arms of the God he cherished and served. Mr. Pittman 
will truly be missed.

                          ____________________