[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5727-S5728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       REMEMBERING JOHN W. MAHAN

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize a 
remarkable Montanan and American. John W. Mahan, or Jack as we all knew 
him, died peacefully on Independence Day, July 4, at his home in 
Helena, MT. He was my neighbor and friend. I ask my colleagues in the 
Senate to join me in honoring Jack and offering condolences to his 
family and loved ones.
  The Fourth of July was a fitting day for this World War II veteran 
and lifelong national veterans' advocate to leave this world. Majority 
leader Mike Mansfield, a veteran of World War I, once said that Jack 
Mahan ``has done more for the veterans of Montana and the nation than 
any other man I know.''
  Jack was born into a family dedicated to national service. His 
father, John Senior, served as the national commander of the Disabled 
American Veterans as a brigadier general. John Senior later served as 
Montana's adjutant general. Jack's mother Iola served as president of 
the American Legion Auxiliary in Helena.
  After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Jack enlisted in the Navy 
Air Corps. Jack went on to bravely serve as a dive bomber pilot in the 
Pacific during World War II.
  After the war, Jack took the lead on tackling challenges facing his 
fellow World War II veterans in Montana and across the country.
  Jack fought for bonuses for WWII veterans--a practice that was done 
after WWI to help get returning troops back on their feet.
  Although, the Montana Supreme Court declared these ``bonus'' payments 
unconstitutional, Jack worked with veterans groups and Montana 
officials to build popular support and eventually secured an 
``honorarium'' payment instead of a ``bonus.'' Jack's ``honorarium,'' 
paid for by a 2-cent tax on cigarettes, raised $22 million for World 
War II veterans. In today's dollars, that is $226 million.
  In the late 1950s, Jack led the way in establishing the veterans 
hospital at Fort Harrison, west of Helena.
  Again, Jack worked with Montanans, veterans groups, and Members of 
Congress to raise $5.4 million to begin the first phase of building for 
the hospital.

[[Page S5728]]

Today, Montana veterans still rely on the hospital in Fort Harrison for 
their basic medical needs.
  During his work, Jack met the acquaintance and earned the respect of 
Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, 
Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford.
  Jack had a truly remarkable life and career of service to our 
country. He served as the national commander-in-chief of Veterans of 
Foreign Wars from 1958 to 1959.
  He served as the national chairman of the Veterans for John F. 
Kennedy's Presidential campaign committee in 1960. He also served as 
the under secretary to the VA Memorial Services and Director of the 
National Cemetery System in the Nixon administration.
  On this very day, we have brave Americans patrolling the mountains of 
Afghanistan. May Jack's memory be a reminder of the obligation we owe 
to these brave warriors when they come home. His legacy is a reminder 
of what dedicated public service can deliver for our Nation's finest. 
We will miss you, Jack.

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