[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE HONORING CORPORAL LAWRENCE A. BERGER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2008

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Corporal Lawrence 
A. Berger, a man who valiantly served our country in World War II and a 
patriot who is well deserving of the recognition he will be receiving 
when he is awarded his upcoming Purple Heart.
  Corporal Berger was born on July 13th, 1922 in San Antonio, Texas. He 
graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1940 and a year later, 
Mr. Berger joined the Army Air Corp, 440th Ordnance Aviation 
Bombardment, attached to the 19th bomb group, stationed in Albuquerque, 
New Mexico.
  On October 1941, he was sent to the Philippines, arriving just two 
weeks before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Later, after the service 
organizations were forced to surrender, he spent a total of 3 years and 
3 months as a prisoner of war. Two years were spent in a camp on the 
Island of Mindanao in the Philippines, and later he was transported to 
Japan where he spent another year before his release in August 1945.
  Mr. Berger's service tells an honorable story of sacrifice and 
bravery. He epitomizes the word hero and is undoubtedly worthy of the 
recognition he is receiving with the Purple Heart award. Mr. Berger, 
his wife Virginia, and their three children Ron, Vernon, and Paulette, 
should all be very proud of all that his military career symbolizes and 
the principles for which he fought--for liberty, democracy, and 
equality. I am honored to call him a constituent and on behalf of my 
colleagues here in Congress I thank him and his family for their 
service, sacrifice, and valor.

                          ____________________