[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 169 (Saturday, December 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2197-E2198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING ABRAHAM ``ABE'' THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 17, 2010

  Mr. ISRAEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Abraham 
``Abe'' Thompson, who passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at 
the age of 94.

[[Page E2198]]

  Abe served honorably during World War II as an officer of the United 
States Army Air Force in the 747th Squadron of the 456th Heavy 
Bombardment Group, stationed in Stornara, Italy. Abe flew 49 missions 
before being shot down on his 50th over Germany. The pilot managed to 
glide the plan into Switzerland, where the crew parachuted and were 
subsequently interned. Abe escaped into France after 73 days and made 
his way to American forces in Lyon.
  After he was discharged, Abe raised his family in Yonkers, NY. He 
then moved to Huntington in the 1970s, after which he earned his law 
degree at the age of 73. He was an active member of the community, 
including serving as president of the local AARP chapter as well as a 
founding member and serving as Commander of the Nassau/Suffolk Long 
Island Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War.
  Abe was the loving husband of the late Bertha Gordon Thompson; 
devoted companion of Rita DeLuise and her family; adored father of 
Carole and Steven Roberts, Robert and Rosalie Thompson, and the late 
Phyllis Gordon; the cherished grandfather of Jennifer and Michael, 
Adam, Alison and Clark, and Jill and Jim; and the loving great-
grandfather of Ned and Grace.
  I am so proud that Abe was a member of the 2nd District of New York 
and I know that he will be missed by the many people whose lives he 
impacted.

                          ____________________