[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 166 (Wednesday, December 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2137-E2138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF DR. JAMES EDWARD BYRD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember 
my friend, Dr. James Edward Byrd. He was kind and generous and a man of 
great character that deeply loved God and country. Dr. Byrd passed away 
on November 23, 2010 after suffering complications from heart surgery.

[[Page E2138]]

  Born and raised in Arkansas, Dr. Byrd was a proud graduate of 
Ouachita Baptist University, where he was a ROTC student during his 
tenure and the recipient of the Distinguished Military Student Award. 
Upon graduation, he received his commission in the Army as a Second 
Lieutenant and proceeded to serve as the Executive Officer, 2MTB 67 
Armor and then as the Accountable Officer, 9th Quartermaster Battalion 
in Germany. Dr. Byrd also earned a Masters in Psychology and a Ph.D. 
from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Most recently, he 
served as the Vice President for the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation 
where he traveled around the State of Texas raising money for missions, 
ministering to local churches, and emphasizing the importance of 
sharing the gospel. His love for people and winning them to Christ was 
evident in his actions; I know Dr. Byrd touched countless lives.
  I had the distinct privilege and pleasure of having Dr. Byrd serve on 
my U.S. Academy Selection Board for thirteen years. He proudly served 
our country as a member of the Arkansas National Guard and the U.S. 
Army Reserves, with his military career spanning over twenty-three 
years. His record of exemplary military service and background in 
education made him well-suited to serve on my Board. He was deeply 
committed to selecting the best candidates for our military academies; 
these students who would go onto serve as the next leaders of our 
military in the generations to come. There are no words that are 
capable of fully expressing my heartfelt gratitude for his dedicated 
service to our great Nation.
  Dr. Byrd is survived by his loving wife of fifty-one years, Wencie; 
his sons, Scott, Lance, and Bart; his brother Bill; sisters Alice and 
Lela Mae; and grandchildren Daniel, Lauren, Blakely, Ryland, and 
Margaret.
   I am honored to have known him and called him my friend. He will be 
greatly missed. May the peace of God be with those he loved and sustain 
them through this hour of sorrow.

                          ____________________