[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF ROBLEY REX

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 2009

  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robley Rex, an 
American Hero from my home town of Louisville, KY, who peacefully 
passed away just days away from his 108th birthday. Mr. Rex always 
disputed the fact that he was a hero. He said he was only doing his 
duty, but to the people of Kentucky, we simply can't see it any other 
way.
  The area's last surviving World War I era veteran served with the 
Army in Europe at the end of the Great War. He remained with the Army 
for four years, but he retained a commitment to serve for the rest of 
his life. He served as chaplain of the Okolona VFW until his death and 
logged more than 13 thousand volunteer hours at the Louisville VA 
hospital--since his 85th birthday.
  Still, what made Mr. Rex special to us isn't the quantity of hours or 
years--though there were many of both--but the quality of his time. The 
veterans who had the good fortune to spend some time with him, during 
his many visits to the VA Hospital, spoke with a man who not only 
shared their experience but also helped blaze the trail for their 
service. For those brave men and women who served their country and 
received treatment for illness or injury, the ubiquitous smile of 
Robley Rex made a world of difference when working toward recovery. He 
tried to cheer them up, he'd say. And if you ask anyone he encountered, 
you'll hear that he succeeded.
  Today, it's difficult to imagine a time when America was not yet the 
most powerful nation in the world, when the military might of United 
States was in question. Robley Rex served at a time when our states had 
been reunited for little over five decades and the road ahead lay in 
question. It was on the will, courage, and determination of soldiers 
like Robley Rex that the future of the United States was secured. 
Whether he admitted it or not, Madam Speaker, he was a treasure to our 
community, a true American Hero, and he will not be forgotten.
  I am humbled by his life's service, thankful for all he did, and I 
know my colleagues will join me in honoring the life and legacy of 
Robley Rex.

                          ____________________