[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 96 (Thursday, June 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF CHARLES P. CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2016

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of one of 
my constituents, Charles P. Clark, a World War II veteran and a beloved 
member of the Purcellville community. Mr. Clark passed away on May 
31st, 2016, at the age of 108 years old. He was born in Hamilton, 
Virginia in 1907 to a tightknit family, and remained in his hometown 
until he went on to complete his military training at Ft. Lee, 
Virginia, in 1944.
  Mr. Clark was deployed to the U.S. Army's 3238 Quartermaster Service 
Company, of the all-African American 9th Armored Division, to France, 
Belgium, and Germany. During his two year service, Mr. Clark provided 
much needed supplies to the front line and was one of the 125,000 
African-American men to serve overseas during World War II.
  Mr. Clark married his wife Clarissa when he returned from serving his 
country and moved to Purcellville, Virginia, where they had a son, 
Charlie. He continued to serve his community through his job as a 
school bus driver; a position in which he was admired as a friendly 
face to students for twenty-five years. Not content to do just his day 
job, he became an active and dedicated member of the community, serving 
on the Loudoun County Emancipation Association, as the Honorary 
Chairman in Purcellville parades, and even throwing the first pitch at 
a Babe Ruth World Series event.
  Mr. Clark lived his final year at the Veterans Medical Center in 
Martinsburg, West Virginia, where he was recognized with a Certificate 
of Appreciation for his service in the U.S. Army. The medical center 
director, Timothy Cooke, described him as ``extraordinary'' and said 
that it was ``a privilege to have him at our medical center''. While 
his wife and son both passed before him, he is survived by his 
granddaughter, Rhea S. Clark and daughter-in-law, Della N. Clark.
  People like Mr. Clark uphold the freedom and the values for which 
this country stands, and I am honored to recognize him today for his 
life of service, kindness, and dedication to our great nation. We are 
fortunate to have citizens like Mr. Clark who positively impact so many 
people.
  Mr, Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life 
of, and bidding farewell to, Charles P. Clark. May he rest in peace, 
and his family be comforted.

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