[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E21]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING MR. THEODORE McCURTIS FOR HIS HONORABLE SERVICE TO OUR 
                                COUNTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 17, 2012

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable disabled veteran, Mr. Theodore McCurtis, who was born 
September 19, 1934, in Hinds County, Edwards, Mississippi. He was the 
fourth of eight children born to the late Herman and Mae Bell Lloyd 
McCurtis. Mr. McCurtis' early years of education began at Edwards 
Elementary School and continued on to Southern Christian Institute High 
School in Edwards, Mississippi. From there, he volunteered to go to the 
United States Air Force while in the 12th grade.
  Mr. McCurtis entered the United States Air Force on October 22, 1952, 
where he served in the Korean War. He received basic training at Parks 
Air Force Base in Pleasanton, California.
  Mr. McCurtis served at Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California, 
and was attached to a Strategic Air Command. He was later sent to 
England where he served in the Military Police and embarked on missions 
to set up radar around the world. After dutiful service, he became 
disabled and lost the use of both his hands.
  Mr. McCurtis is a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in 
Edwards, Mississippi, where he serves as a dedicated Trustee. His 
membership at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church began during 
childhood under the leadership of his grandfather, Sam Butler, who was 
the second minister of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.
  Mr. McCurtis is happily married to his wife of 45 years, Mrs. 
Christine E. McCurtis. They have four children: Theodore, Jr., Martin 
Lloyd, Andrea Denise, and Sharon Denise McCurtis.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. 
Theodore McCurtis for his honorable service to our country.

                          ____________________