[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 167 (Thursday, November 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CLIFF HAGEDORN, AN AMERICAN PATRIOT

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                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the many 
contributions of Cliff Hagedorn, a long time resident of Des Plaines, 
Illinois, and a pillar of our local veteran community. Mr. Hagedorn is 
a great example of a true American patriot.
  Cliff Hagedorn grew up in Des Plaines--graduating from what is today 
Maine East High School and marrying his high school sweetheart, 
Valerie. Like so many other Americans during World War II, Mr. Hagedorn 
enlisted in the U.S. Army and prepared to risk his life on behalf of 
our nation.
  On Easter Sunday 1944, Cliff Hagedorn landed with the allied forces 
in North Africa, and participated in actions that eventually stopped 
and then reversed German advances in the region. After succeeding in 
North Africa, he and his fellow soldiers spent the remainder of the war 
in Italy, pushing German forces back at every opportunity.
  After the war, Cliff Hagedorn's contributions to his community 
continued--he raised a family in Des Plaines and helped to create the 
Des Plaines Senior Center. The Senior Center continues to offer vital 
services to this day and Mr. Hagedorn now holds emeritus status with 
the organization.
  Cliff Hagedorn has also been an active member of the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars Post 2992 for several decades. In fact, earlier this month 
he celebrated 70 years of service with this institution--a truly 
remarkable achievement.
  Today, at the age of 91, Cliff Hagedorn continues to work tirelessly 
in support of his country and his local community. Serving as Adjutant 
of his local VFW post, Mr. Hagedorn engages in outreach to the local 
community, visiting schools and teaching young people about the value 
of knowing their civics and their nation's history.
  Cliff Hagedorn has devoted his life to public service, and we are all 
better off as a result. On behalf of a grateful nation, I want to 
extend our sincere thanks for all he has done for our country, and a 
heartfelt congratulations for seventy years of service to his local 
post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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