[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 9, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE MILITARY SERVICE OF TIBOR RUBIN

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                         HON. DARRELL E. ISSA-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 9, 2010

  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Tibor ``Ted'' 
Rubin, a prominent U.S. Army Veteran and POW during the Korean War 
whose selfless and heroic actions earned him the Medal of Honor. Madame 
Speaker, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to Mr. Rubin 
and share his story which serves as an inspiration to all Americans.
  Having been born in Hungary in 1929, at age 15 Mr. Rubin was sent to 
Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria where he survived the next 14 
brutal months of captivity. Tragically, his father perished in 
Buchenwald while his mother and sisters faced the gas chambers at 
Auschwitz. When Mauthausen was liberated by the U.S. Army in 1945, Mr. 
Rubin immigrated to the United States with a vow to show his 
appreciation to the country that gave him his freedom, and saved his 
life.
  Mr. Rubin joined the army in 1950 and served as a rifleman with I 
Company, Eighth Regiment, First Cavalry Division, fighting in the 
Republic of Korea. Once there, Mr. Rubin hit the ground running and it 
wasn't long before he was recognized for his bravery and readiness to 
accept the most dangerous of missions. In one such mission, Rubin 
secured a route of retreat for his company by single-handedly defending 
a hill for 24 hours against waves of North Korean soldiers.
  In November of 1950, after sustaining shrapnel wounds from a grenade, 
Mr. Rubin and others in his company were captured by the Chinese, who 
were fighting with the Korean Communist government. Despite the extreme 
conditions of low temperatures, shortages of food and medicine, all in 
the face of capture, this is where Rubin's selfless heroism truly 
shined. Mr. Rubin continually risked his life as he snuck out nightly 
to forage food for his fellow prisoners, especially the sick and dying. 
His fellow prisoners credit him with saving 35 to 40 lives by this 
brave and daring endeavor.
  Mr. Rubin spent a total of two and a half years in the North Korean 
prisoner of war camp. Yet in the face of these unthinkable 
circumstances, Mr. Rubin distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism 
time and again. His harrowing acts of bravery and extraordinary 
devotion to his brothers in arms resulted in numerous recommendations 
from his Commanders for the Medal of Honor, among other prestigious 
awards. Regrettably, Mr. Rubin's deserved recognition was met with 
unwarranted obstruction due to his religious beliefs.
  After more than 50 years of waiting, Mr. Rubin was finally given the 
acknowledgment he rightfully deserved. On September 23, 2005, President 
Bush awarded Mr. Rubin with the Medal of Honor--the highest military 
decoration awarded by the United States Government--for his many acts 
of valor throughout the Korean War.
  Even to this day, at the age of 81, Mr. Rubin continues to inspire 
fellow veterans and service members as an active keynote speaker for 
military and Jewish communities across the United States. Most recently 
he has spoken to troops at Fort Hood, First Calvary, the California 
state military reserve, as well as to the 100 new soldiers enlisting in 
the five branches of the military service in Century City, California. 
In May of this year he will be speaking to the Army National Guard in 
Mississippi.
  There is no question that Mr. Rubin has an unshakeable love for his 
adopted homeland of America. We are truly grateful for his demonstrated 
courage, compassion, and selfless military service.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you to please join me in honoring all those 
brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces, 
and the valiant service of Mr. Tibor Rubin.

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