[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 10, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2835-S2836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING HARRY HOE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, it is with sadness that I rise today to 
note the passing of one of southeastern Kentucky's most notable 
citizens, Mr. Harry Morgan Hoe. Mr. Hoe was a decorated World War II 
veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge under the command of GEN 
George Patton. He recalled once what General Patton said to his men 
then:
  ``Half of you guys are not going home, you know that, don't you? 
You're over here to take that hill, and if you don't take it, I want to 
see the truckload of dog tags that show me that you proved yourself.''
  Well, Harry Hoe did return home, after fighting in five major 
European campaigns, and he certainly did prove himself. He received the 
Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Bronze Star, the Oak Leaf 
Cluster for heroic action and the French Liberation Appreciation Medal.
  But Mr. Hoe's heroic service in World War II is just the beginning of 
his incredible life story. He would go on to meet the love of his life, 
his wife Mary, in college and return to his hometown of Middlesboro to 
work in the family foundry business. He would be elected to the State 
legislature, invest countless hours in volunteer work and community 
service, and become a role model for me and many others for his 
leadership, his humility and his dedication to the people of the 
Bluegrass State.
  With his wife Mary, who passed away some time ago, Harry had three 
children and several grandchildren. I wish to offer my greatest 
condolences to the Hoe family and all of Harry's many friends who are 
mourning his loss.
  Mr. President, a wonderful article that appeared today in the 
Middlesboro Daily News tells the story of Mr. Harry Hoe's life and 
career. It is a fitting tribute to a fine man and I ask unanimous 
consent that it be printed in the Record.

       There being no objection, the article was ordered to be 
     printed in the Record, as follows:

                   [From the Middlesboro Daily News, 
                             May 10, 2011]

                    Middlesboro Loses `Crown Jewel'

                    (By Lorie Settles/Staff Writer)

       Middlesboro.--Many in Middlesboro are mourning the passing 
     of one of the city's most influential people--Harry Morgan 
     Hoe.
       ``The city has lost one of its crowned jewels,'' lamented 
     longtime friend and businessman, Dewey Morgan. ``He and Mary 
     Bob (his

[[Page S2836]]

     wife) were always generous and welcoming to everyone. They 
     were people people.''
       Hoe spent his life serving his community and his nation. A 
     World War II veteran, Hoe fought in five major European 
     campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge, and served under 
     the infamous General George Patton.
       Hoe spoke of his experience under Patton in a Daily News 
     interview in 2010.
       ``He said: Half of you guys are not going home, you know 
     that don't you? You're over here to take that hill and if you 
     don't take it, I want to see the truckload of dog tags that 
     show me that you proved yourself.' So we fought. We were his 
     soldiers--that was all we knew to do,'' he remembered.
       Dewey Morgan also remarked on Hoe's service to the nation.
       ``The thing a lot of people might not know about Harry is 
     that he was a hero in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a 
     member of the American force that pushed Hitler back into 
     Germany. And for the rest of his life, he suffered with his 
     feet that had been frozen during the battle,'' Morgan 
     reported.
       Hoe was decorated with the Silver Star for gallantry in 
     action, the Bronze Star, the Oak Leaf Cluster for heroic 
     action and the French Liberation Appreciation Medal--all 
     before reaching the age of 19.
       Hoe's achievements only increased from there. In 1953, 
     Harry Morgan Hoe was honored as one of the three Outstanding 
     Young Men of Kentucky. Hoe worked as the Director of the 
     Kentucky Utilities company for 19 years, and was honored by 
     the company with a $100,000 donation that was awarded to 
     Clear Creek Baptist Bible College. He served as a board 
     member of the college for 20 years and as Chairman for two 
     terms.
       In 1953, Hoe became the founder of the first racially 
     integrated Little League Baseball organization south of the 
     Ohio River. He served as the Middlesboro League's president 
     for seven years.
       Hoe worked as General Chairman for the dedication of the 
     Cumberland Gap National Park in 1959. He was the Director of 
     Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Board for more than 50 
     years and served twice as President.
       Harry also acted as Chairman of the Board of Directors of 
     Kentuckians for Better Transportation and Associated 
     Industries in Kentucky. He spent two three-year terms as 
     Director of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
       In 1964, Harry Hoe decided to try his hand at politics. He 
     was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives, where 
     he served for six years. The passage of the drunk driving 
     bill that he authored in 1968 was the highlight of his 
     political career.
       Harry was the Minority Whip and the Assistant Minority 
     Floor Leader. He spent twelve years serving on the Kentucky 
     Republican State Central Committee and was inducted into the 
     Republican 5th Congressional District Hall of Fame by 
     Congressman Hal Rogers.
       As an eyewitness to paramount moments in the history of the 
     U.S., the state of Kentucky, and the city of Middlesboro, Hoe 
     served as a reference guide to many who knew him.
       ``He was a walking history book,'' said friend Lawrence 
     Tuck. ``He was a very special friend to my wife Barbara and 
     myself. He helped so many people and we will miss him so 
     much.''
       Tuck said that Hoe had attended last Wednesday's Kiwanis 
     meeting, a club he was a member of since 1949. He also 
     attended Sunday services at First Baptist Church where he had 
     served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and choir member.
       Hoe was additionally a lifetime member of the Salvation 
     Army Advisory Board and was awarded the Salvation Army 
     William Booth Award, the highest honor given by the charity, 
     after serving as Chairman.
       Many also know Hoe for his work with the family business, 
     the J.R. Hoe and Sons foundry.
       Hoe was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary, whom 
     he met while the two were students at the University of 
     Tennessee. He referred to her as his ``secret weapon'' in the 
     Daily News interview. The couple had three children together 
     and several grandchildren.

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