[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF MAJOR GENERAL RUPERT H. BURRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 28, 2010

  Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a fallen hero who was 
a respected and dedicated officer in the United States Air Force. On 
July 13, 2010, our State and Nation lost a great patriot when Maj. Gen. 
Rupert H. Burris of the U.S. Air Force, aged 84, passed away at his 
home in El Dorado.
  General Burris was born in Whelan Springs, Arkansas, to his late 
parents Thomas and Estelle Burris and attended high school in El 
Dorado. General Burris graduated from Jackson College in Honolulu, 
Hawaii.
  General Burris enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War 
II and served as a crew member of a B-17 bomber in the European theater 
of operations. He completed more than 30 bombing missions over Germany 
and France, serving as an armorer and gunner.
  Following the war, General Burris re-enlisted in the U.S. Army Air 
Forces in 1947, eventually entering Officer Candidate School in 1948. 
What followed was a long and distinguished military career. General 
Burris held numerous commands in the United States and overseas, 
becoming the first nonrated officer ever to head an Air Force major 
command.
  During his highly decorated career, General Burris received many 
military awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit with oak 
leaf cluster; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal 
with four oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak 
leaf clusters; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with ``V'' 
device; Good Conduct Medal; Vietnamese Honor Medal, First Class; 
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; and the Republic of 
China Meritorious Service Medal, Class A, Second Degree.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to his daughter and son-in-law Clarice 
and Chris Long; his brother, Thomas; sister, Jane; four grandchildren 
and three great-grandchildren. I know I, along with all Arkansans, will 
sorely miss General Burris' presence and will try to find solace in the 
fact General Burris defined what it meant to be a true patriot--
dedicating your life to the service of our great Nation and to leave 
your community better than you found it.
  Our Nation is safer and stronger because of the men and women who 
have dedicated their lives to military service like General Burris. 
Today, I ask all members of Congress to join me as we honor the life of 
Maj. Gen. Rupert H. Burris and his legacy, as well as each man and 
woman in our Armed Forces who gives the ultimate sacrifice in service 
to our great country.

                          ____________________