[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 138 (Monday, August 20, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5713-S5714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING EARL FIELDS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the Commonwealth of Kentucky recently 
lost a remarkable man and a longtime public servant, Earl Fields. At 
the age of 96, Earl passed away earlier this month. My friend and 
fellow Kentuckian, Congressman Hal Rogers, called Earl, ``one of our 
region's greatest treasures.'' I couldn't agree more, and today it is 
my privilege to honor his memory.
  A member of the Greatest Generation, Earl left his position as a 
school teacher in 1942 to join the U.S. Navy. During his 4 years of 
service aboard the U.S.S. Nicholson, Earl served in 10 major conflicts 
and engaged both German and Japanese enemy forces. As a Navy radioman, 
he was tasked with copying incoming coded messages. Among his many 
experiences during his service, Earl remembered receiving the fateful 
news of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's death in 1945.
  After the war, Earl returned home and married Gloria, the love of his 
life. Together, they raised six children and built a life together in 
eastern Kentucky. In subsequent years, Earl once again felt called to 
public service, and he ran to become the Leslie County clerk. He won 
his race and served his community in the role for 24 years.
  When Earl left the clerk's office, he moved to Laurel County to enjoy 
his retirement. That doesn't mean he slowed down, however. Earl kept a 
number of hobbies, including hunting, fishing, and beekeeping, 
throughout the rest of his life.
  Elaine and I would like to extend our condolences to Earl's wonderful 
family and his many devoted friends. His life impacted our country and 
so many communities in eastern Kentucky, and he will surely be missed. 
I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in remembering the life of a 
great man, Earl Fields.

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