[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E18]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING FLOYD KING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. FRANK D. LUCAS

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 8, 2014

  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Floyd King, a 
decorated World War II veteran, peanut farmer and advocate, model U.S. 
citizen and one of my constituents.
   Floyd was born September 14th, of 1918 in Binger, Oklahoma and 
recently passed on December 11th of 2013 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 
Floyd was the youngest of 8 and grew up in Sickles, Oklahoma and 
married his wife Lola in 1941. Floyd served the United States in the 
Army during the Second World War in the European Theatre, seeing action 
at the Bulge, Geilenkirchen, and near Bastogne where he exhibited 
courage and skill that earned him the Bronze Star. Upon returning from 
the war Floyd bought a farm in Caddo County and engaged in production 
agriculture. Inspired by irrigation systems he had observed in 
California during his military training, he studied and researched the 
aquifers of western Oklahoma and the drilling of water wells and 
started King's Irrigation Service in 1954. Floyd worked with Oklahoma 
State University and U.S. Speaker of the House Carl Albert to further 
research that supported peanut production in Caddo County. He was 
President of the Southwest Peanut Growers Association and of the 
Oklahoma Peanut Growers Association. He sat on the National Peanut 
Board of Directors, on the Anadarko Bank and Trust Board of Directors, 
and the Board of Directors of the Gold Kist Corporation in Atlanta, GA. 
Floyd lobbied Congress, myself included, for decades to preserve the 
federal peanut program. Floyd was a member of the Oakdale Missionary 
Baptist Church where he served in many capacities including Sunday 
School Teacher and Song Leader. He was Chairman of the Board of 
Trustees for Cedar Hills Baptist Youth Camp for many years, and was a 
very proud to help raise funds for the National World War Two Memorial. 
Floyd was passionate about serving the Lord through song. He and his 
brothers Ted, Eugene, and Warren King comprised the ``King Brothers 
Quartet'' which sang across the area at church and social gatherings, 
weddings and funerals, and even on the radio.
   He is what I consider to be a great individual example of America's 
``Greatest Generation'', a generation which endured the great 
depression, dust bowl and World War II. Floyd survived these hardships 
and grew stronger, just as many did. He was a pillar of the community 
and a dedicated man of faith, family and country who will not be 
forgotten. I stand here to share the legacy of this man from Western 
Oklahoma who showed that while things may not always be easy, character 
is developed through life experiences--to which he had attained both in 
droves.
   In recognition of all that he has done, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you 
and my colleagues join me in remembering the life of Floyd King who 
will be greatly missed by those whom he proceeded, but has now joined 
his brothers and sisters--resting peacefully in eternity.

                          ____________________