[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 103 (Friday, July 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE MEMORY OF BERT BANK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 10, 2009

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the state of Alabama recently lost a dear 
friend, and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory. 
Bert Bank, a World War II hero, an Alabama state legislator and radio 
pioneer, was an Alabama legend.
  Mr. Bank attended the University of Alabama Law School and graduated 
in 1940. He served his country in the Air Force during World War II 
rising to the rank of major. He survived the Bataan Death March as a 
prisoner of war for 33 brutal months. When he returned to the United 
States, he spent two years in the Valley Forge General Hospital 
recovering from malnutrition. He later wrote the book Back From the 
Living Dead, which recounted his experiences as a prisoner of war.
  When he returned to Tuscaloosa, he started the radio stations WTBC-AM 
and WUOA-FM and, in 1953, he started the University of Alabama Football 
Network.
  In 1966, Mr. Bank was elected to the House of Representatives and 
served two terms. In 1974, he was elected to the Alabama Senate and 
served one term before running for lieutenant governor. During his 
twelve years in the Alabama House and Senate, he introduced legislation 
making it a felony to burn the American flag--Alabama was the first 
state to pass such legislation. He also authored legislation to make it 
a felony to burn a draft card, another first for the state of Alabama.
  Mr. Bank was a champion for veterans. He introduced legislation that 
made it possible for veterans of the Gulf War to participate in the 
state sponsored college education program. He also authored legislation 
that rewarded the 21 Alabama Vietnam Prisoners of War with a $500 
bonus.
  Mr. Bank's years of service to Tuscaloosa, the broadcast industry, 
and the state of Alabama were recognized with numerous awards 
throughout his life. He received the Thad Holt Distinguished 
Broadcasters Award in 1969 and the Alabama Broadcasters Association 
Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2008, he was inducted into the Alabama 
Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the Silver 
Medal as Man of the Year by the Tuscaloosa Advertising Club and was 
named a Distinguished Service and Outstanding Alumnus by the University 
of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences. Mr. Bank 
was also presented the Bronze Star by the U.S. Air Force for his 
service during World War II.
  Mr. Bank was a member of the disabled American Veterans, the American 
Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also established The Bert 
Bank Endowed Patriotism Scholarship Fund at the University of Alabama.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a 
dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout the state of 
Alabama. Mr. Bert Bank will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, 
Gertrude, and his two sons, Jimmy and Ralph--as well as his many 
friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult 
time.

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