[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 182 (Friday, November 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1532-E1533]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN McGRAW

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 16, 2018

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of John McGraw, a World 
War II veteran and resident of Fulton, New York. On November 18, 2018, 
Mr. McGraw was recognized as the oldest member of the Fulton First 
United Methodist Church. A lifelong citizen of Central New York, Mr. 
McGraw has made vast contributions to his community and our nation.
  John McGraw was born in Fulton, New York in 1921. His father worked 
for the Sealright Company and John followed in his father's footsteps. 
He worked as a mechanist at the local plant and helped produce paper 
containers used for food and beverages. When America entered World War 
II in 1941, John answered the call of duty and began service with the 
United States Army. John was among the brave infantrymen who stormed 
the beaches of Normandy on June 6th, 1944, as a part of the D-Day 
Invasion. Landing on Omaha Beach with B Company during the second wave 
of the invasion, John's duty was to disarm active landmines so his 
fellow soldiers could advance up the beach. His courage, along with the 
courage of hundreds of other soldiers, helped make the D-Day Invasion a 
success and shifted momentum towards the Allies for the rest of World 
War II. Today, John is the last surviving member of B Company who 
fought in the D-Day Invasion.
  After the war, John continued to serve in the best interest of the 
public. He began working for the Fulton Auxiliary Police Force as an 
officer in 1948 and remained there until 1963. While with the force, 
John diligently protected Fulton from crime by paying close attention 
to detail and taking action when he noticed injustice. In addition, he 
continued his work as a Sealright mechanist. His children joined him at 
the company, just as he had joined his father.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in 
celebrating the extraordinary life of John McGraw. He is exemplary of 
courage and honor, two values that are pillars of our country. Mr. 
McGraw's service to

[[Page E1533]]

his community and country is a standard that all Americans should 
strive to live by. I thank him, as well as all our great veterans, for 
protecting this great nation.

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