[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H3584-H3585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING COLONEL STAN CASS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Buck) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Stan Cass, 
United States Army, retired. Colonel Cass passed away on April 14, at 
the age of 84.
  Born in Weld County, Colorado, to a family of farmers, Colonel Cass 
graduated from Briggsdale High School and attended West Point.
  After brief stints in Germany and France, Stan began his first tour 
of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, dangerously traversing the 
skies to support infantry troops. He briefly came back to the States to 
complete a master's degree before returning to Vietnam to command 300 
helicopters in an air cavalry fleet.
  After his valiant efforts in Vietnam, Colonel Cass worked in the 
Pentagon on the Hellfire missile system, and then returned to Weld 
County to take over the family farm.
  But he wasn't finished serving. In 2008, he launched the northern 
Colorado chapter of Honor Flight, a nationwide nonprofit that 
transports America's veterans for visits to our war memorials in 
Washington, D.C.
  Stan helped transport over 2,500 veterans to Washington over the past 
decade, giving our heroes a chance to reflect on and find closure in 
their wartime experiences.
  Like so many other families in northern Colorado, Colonel Cass very 
personally impacted my family. My wife, Perry, has volunteered for the 
organization, and my father-in-law, Bill, has gone on one of those 
flights as a veteran. They both have been alongside Colonel Cass and 
meeting some of the amazing veterans living in our community. Their 
humility, endurance, and wisdom have taught us so much.
  Colonel Cass dedicated his life to this country and the men and women 
who serve it. I offer my condolences to his wife, Cecily, the rest of 
his family, and everyone in our community who had the chance to know 
this humble, incredible human being. I know there are many.


                       Recognizing Randy Bangert

  Mr. BUCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Randy Bangert, 
editor of the Greeley Tribune newspaper.
  On April 14, the Colorado Press Association inducted Mr. Bangert into 
the Hall of Fame, honoring his incredible 45-year career with the paper 
of note in Weld County. Just 3 years ago, he earned the Newspaper 
Person of the Year Award from the same association.
  The Greeley Tribune is a reflection of Randy, conducting itself with 
class and dignity. His goal is to equip the public with knowledge so 
that citizens can make things right in their community.

                              {time}  1100

  Randy never shies away from telling the truth. If he disagrees with 
one of my positions, he lets me know it, and he lets everyone else know 
it, too, in his editorial that day. But Randy's critiques are always 
fair and respectful. He wants to build consensus to make our community, 
State, and country a better place. We need more people who believe in 
civility in our public discourse like Randy.
  Randy also cares deeply about his community. I know this, because I 
see him everywhere around town. This is what makes him such a good 
newspaper editor. He knows who he works for, the people, and he listens 
to them.
  But last year Randy received some bad news. He faces the toughest 
battle so far in his life--cancer. The thing about Randy is we know how 
he is fighting it. It is the same way he ran

[[Page H3585]]

the newspaper. He is feisty, passionate, caring, and optimistic.
  I pray for Randy and his family in this challenging time, and I pray 
for our community, as others step up in the big shoes they must now 
fill as Randy transitions to the editor emeritus role.
  Randy's induction into the Colorado Hall of Fame is important. I 
congratulate him on this incredible honor, but what seems more 
important is the impact he has had on our community. I thank him today 
for the way he has shaped Greeley and Weld County. That impact will 
never be forgotten.

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