[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 85 (Thursday, June 7, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H3582-H3583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING JOHN ROBERT ``BOB'' SLAUGHTER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with Representatives 
Morgan Griffith and Robert Hurt, to honor the memory of a constituent, 
a World War II veteran, a community

[[Page H3583]]

leader, and a friend, John Robert ``Bob'' Slaughter.
  On May 29, 2012, southwest Virginia lost one of its great American 
heroes. A passionate advocate for veterans and a driving force behind 
the National 
D-day Memorial in Bedford, it is only fitting that we honor Bob's 
memory as we mark the 68th anniversary of D-day this week.
  Born on February 3, 1925 in Bristol, Tennessee, Bob's family later 
moved to Roanoke, Virginia. In 1941, at the age of 15, he joined the 
Virginia Army National Guard, Company D, 116th Infantry, 29th Division. 
A short time later, the United States was attacked at Pearl Harbor and 
entered the war. On September 27, 1942, the 29th Division set sail for 
England.
  On D-day, June 6, 1944, Bob waded ashore to battle the foes of 
democracy at Omaha Beach. He was just 19 years old. His life was 
forever impacted by the memories of that day.
  Mr. Speaker, I have stood on Omaha Beach in Normandy at low tide, 
which was the circumstances when these brave men landed there on June 
6, 1944. The width of that beach, the distance that they had to come 
out of those landing boats through withering machine gun fire, bombs, 
and mines, is absolutely a remarkable demonstration of the courage of 
those men to liberate Europe.
  Despite being wounded twice in combat following D-day, Bob remained 
in the field until the end of the war in 1945. After the war, Bob 
returned to Roanoke, where he had a long career with the Roanoke Times 
& World-News. He was dedicated to his family and was also active in the 
community, coaching a basketball team for local youth.
  Bob showed great determination by working to ensure that there was a 
proper memorial to the countless men who took part in the D-day 
invasion. On June 6, 1994, the 50th anniversary of D-day, Bob walked 
Omaha Beach with President Bill Clinton. On June 6, 2001, Bob's dream 
became a reality when the National D-day Memorial in Bedford was 
dedicated by President George W. Bush.
  Thanks in large part to his efforts, the National D-day Memorial now 
stands in Bedford, where it serves as a constant reminder of those who 
paid the ultimate price to protect the freedoms that we hold so dear.
  The life of Bob Slaughter is a true testament to the ``Greatest 
Generation.'' We are honored to have known Bob and pay tribute to this 
great man's many contributions. We pray for his family--his wife of 65 
years, Margaret Leftwich Slaughter; his two sons; two grandchildren; 
and two great-grandchildren--during this difficult time. We join the 
entire community in mourning the loss of this American hero.

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