[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 29 (Thursday, February 28, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ANDREW L. HAWKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a war 
veteran, Mr. Andrew L. Hawkins.
  Mr. Hawkins is a native of Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. He is 
the youngest son born to the late Dave and Evelyn Hawkins of Webb. He 
received his early education in the West Tallahatchie School District 
and is a 1966 graduate of West District High School of Sumner. Mr. 
Hawkins migrated to Chicago, IL after graduation, and shortly 
thereafter was inducted into the United States Army.
  Mr. Hawkins attended Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training 
(AIT) in Fort Polk, Louisiana. He qualified with the 45 caliber, M-14 
and M-16 as a marksman and sharp shooter. His next duty station 
following AIT landed him in Southeast Asia (Vietnam) from 1969 to 1970, 
where he served one year of duty initially while stationed in La Kai 
for several months with the First Infantry Division. The remainder of 
his tour was with the 101st Airborne Division, where he was wounded in 
action and was awarded a Purple Heart Metal and returned home.
  After being honorably discharged from the Army, he began pursuing 
higher education at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois on the GI 
Bill. He completed his bachelor's degree and much of his master's at 
DePaul. He later moved back to his home state of Mississippi because he 
felt that his military experience had equipped him with life skills and 
discipline to cope with life challenges back home. Mr. Hawkins 
attributes his will to survive and success to his parents, community, 
elementary and high school teachers, and his strong spiritual 
upbringing.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing wounded 
Vietnam War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Mr. Andrew L. Hawkins, 
for his dedication and service to his country while in the United 
States Army.

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