[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO VAL KUNTZ

 Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, in the Capitol in Washington, DC, 
there is a corridor that highlights the discovery and expansion of 
America. Just above one of the doors, there is a quote that reminds me 
of the people who have helped shape Montana, and that makes me proud to 
be a Westerner. The quote from Horace Greenley reads, ``Go West, young 
men, go West and grow up with the country.''
  Today I honor a man who has grown up in the city of Belgrade, MT. 
Valentine Kuntz was born and raised on the family farm after his 
parents immigrated to America from Russia. Folks know him as Val, but 
many may not know the role he has played in serving and building 
Belgrade.
  Val has served his country honorably throughout his life. As a young 
man he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in the Pacific 
theater during World War II. On September 2, 1945, Val was a part of 
the 200 ships sitting in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese surrendered and 
ended the war.
  After the war, Val served as a sawmill operator and business owner in 
Belgrade. The city of Belgrade owes thanks to Val for his part in 
constructing the Catholic church and the goalposts for the Belgrade 
High School football field. Val was also the entrepreneur behind the 
first fourplex housing unit in Belgrade.
  Together, Val and his wife, Betsy, have raised nine children, four of 
whom inherited the talent and building trades from their father. Today 
their children continue his legacy by working on construction projects 
all over the world. However, out of all of his achievements, his 
children are his pride and joy.
  On July 23, 2016, Val will celebrate his 90th birthday, surrounded by 
family and friends. Thank you for the long hours and hard work that 
helped build Belgrade, MT. I am so grateful for all that you have done 
and all that your children continue to do, and I wish you a very happy 
birthday.

                          ____________________