[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 192 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H8912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING CAPTAIN JAMES HENRY

  (Mr. COURTNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary 
American, fishing Captain James Henry from the town of Mystic, 
Connecticut. Captain Henry has just published his first book, ``In a 
Fisherman's Language,'' at the age of 98.
  What's even more extraordinary is that Captain Henry was illiterate 
until the age of 91. But after learning the inspiring story of George 
Dawson, the grandson of a slave who taught himself to read and write, 
at the age of 98, Captain Henry began his journey to literacy. A 
retired East Lyme English teacher and literacy volunteer from eastern 
Connecticut, Mark Hogan tutored Captain Henry along his journey and 
helped him edit his book.
  ``In a Fisherman's Language'' artfully weaved together the life of 
this lobsterman, sharing his stories from his life on his grandfather's 
farm in Portugal, his work on the boats, a member of the Connecticut 
National Guard, a professional boxer, and a shipfitter at Electric Boat 
shipyard.
  What initially started as a small project has gained international 
attention. Selling the original 750 copies in just 2 weeks, he's been 
contacted by film producers, TV stations, and audio book companies, 
alike, who want to share his story with the world.
  It has been quite a long journey from being unable to read and write 
to being a source of inspiration to young writers and a beacon of hope 
for those struggling with their own literacy.
  I urge my colleagues to read this amazing book, and I salute Captain 
Henry for his amazing accomplishment.

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