[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE DEDICATION OF RUDDER HIGH SCHOOL IN BRYAN, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHET EDWARDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2008

  Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor James Earl 
Rudder High School in the community of Bryan-College Station, Texas.
  It was a privilege to take part in the dedication ceremony because 
the Rudder family has had a very personal impact on my life. Mrs. Earl 
Rudder was like a second mother to me, although in fairness, I should 
point out that she effectively adopted thousands of Aggies over several 
generations. That did not make her any less special to me, and I want 
to thank the Rudder children--Ann, Linda, Bud and Bob--for sharing for 
so many years your mother and father with all of us in your extended 
Aggie family.
  I never met General Rudder, because he died just months before I 
enrolled at A&M in 1970, but like every American and every citizen of 
the world who benefited from the defeat of Nazi forces in World War II, 
I am the beneficiary of his indomitable courage on D-day, which marked 
the beginning of the end for Hitler's plan of world domination.
  In a more personal way, I paid for my graduate school education with 
the scholarship I received when I was awarded the Earl Rudder Award 
upon my graduation from A&M in 1974. Nevertheless, receiving that award 
has always been a source of deep humility to me, because I know that I 
could not even walk in the shadows of this great American's shoes.
  I want to salute the school board members, Superintendent Cargill, 
Principal Piatt, and all who made this new school possible. James Earl 
Rudder High School is far more than brick, glass, and mortar, because a 
school represents the very best of our values as a community. This 
school represents the commitment of one generation to the next. It 
represents this community's willingness to tax itself to ensure that 
its children have a fair chance to reach their highest God-given 
potential.
  It is in our schools and houses of worship that we witness our best 
sense of community, a sense that we truly are our brothers' keepers. It 
is in our schools that we Americans strive to provide for equality of 
opportunity for all. Ours is an imperfect, never ending journey, but in 
that march toward equality for all, we show our greatness and goodness 
as a nation.
  Thomas Jefferson was the 33-year-old author of our Declaration of 
Independence. He was our third and one of our greatest Presidents. Yet, 
before he died, he made it clear that he wanted it etched on his 
gravestone that he was the founder of a university. In his wisdom, 
Thomas Jefferson understood the importance of education to our 
democracy.
  Two centuries later, I believe that each of you who played a role in 
founding James Earl Rudder High School shares the right to be proud of 
your accomplishment. It is my hope that the life and values of Earl 
Rudder will be an inspiration to every student here from this day 
forward. We should never forget the story of Earl Rudder, because his 
is the story of the American spirit. It is a story from which we can 
all learn.
  Born in the small town of Eden, Texas, Earl Rudder did not inherit 
material wealth, but his family, faith and education helped mold a true 
leader. Like so many Americans, he dedicated his life to helping 
others, to serving his country.
  After graduating from Texas A&M in 1932, Earl Rudder was commissioned 
as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. He then chose the 
noble profession of teaching--first as a coach and teacher at Brady 
High School and later at Tarleton State College. In 1941, his country 
called him to duty, and did he ever answer that call. Rising through 
the ranks because of his integrity, courage and leadership skills, he 
was chosen to lead the 2nd Ranger Battalion by one of the most 
respected generals to ever serve in the U.S. Army, GEN Omar Bradley.
  His D-day mission was to lead the best of the best up the 100-foot 
cliffs of Pointe du Hoc to disarm massive German guns that could have 
killed thousands of American G.I.s and put the Allied invasion of 
France at risk.
  General Bradley said this about the responsibility given then LTC 
Earl Rudder: ``No soldier in my command has ever been wished a more 
difficult task than that which befell the thirty-four-year-old 
Commander of this Provisional Ranger Force.''
  Two hundred and twenty-five Rangers began their mission on that 
perilous day when literally the fate of the world was in their hands. 
Only 99 survived, but because of the heroism of Earl Rudder and 
Rudder's Rangers that day, our world survived the tyranny of Adolf 
Hitler. Lieutenant Colonel Rudder, this great Aggie and American, 
didn't stop there. He went on to lead a unit in the Battle of the Bulge 
and became one of the most decorated veterans of World War II.
  Having every right to say his public service was completed at the end 
of World War II, Earl Rudder did what so many of America's veterans 
have done throughout our history. He spent the rest of his life in 
service to others and to the country he loved. He moved back to Brady, 
Texas, and became its mayor. He was elected Land Commissioner of Texas, 
a position he used to clean up abuses in veterans' land programs.
  When he became the president of Texas A&M University, his beloved 
alma mater, Earl Rudder told his close classmate of '32 and my mentor, 
Congressman Olin E. Teague, that he had to make a decision that in some 
ways brought more heat on him than German guns at Pointe du Hoc. He 
decided to allow women into A&M and to make the Corps of Cadets 
voluntary for A&M students.
  Some Aggies didn't talk to President Rudder ever again. But, just as 
he did on D-day, Earl Rudder showed the courage of his conviction. Just 
as D-day literally helped save the world as we know it, President 
Rudder's decision in the 1960s saved the future of Texas A&M. It was, 
perhaps, the most important decision ever made by any president of 
Texas A&M, and I am not sure if any other person but Earl Rudder could 
have made it. In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson presented Earl Rudder 
with the Distinguished Service Medal, our Nation's highest civilian 
award.
  Love of faith, family, and country; courage under fire; integrity; 
and lifelong service to others--these were the values of Earl Rudder. 
They are the quintessential American values that have made ours the 
greatest Nation in the world.
  My hope is that the story and values of Earl Rudder will inspire the 
lives of everyone who walks through these doors for generations to 
come. If so, then ours will be a better community and a better country, 
and we will have truly honored the service of this American hero.
  May God bless James Earl Rudder High School and all who will serve 
there.

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