[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 29 (Thursday, February 14, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING JAMES M. BOSWELL ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2019

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th 
birthday of a veteran, neighbor, father, dedicated man of faith, and 
friend to many, Mr. James Boswell. Mr. Boswell is a lifelong resident 
of Wilson, North Carolina.
  James Marshall Boswell was born on February 2, 1919 in Wilson, North 
Carolina. His parents taught him and his three brothers to work hard, 
although neither his mother nor father had more than a fifth grade 
education. His father supported the family as a factory worker. Mr. 
Boswell recalls him sharing two double beds with his three brothers in 
their rented home. He would later go to work with his father at the 
wagon factory where he would perform hard manual labor for 40 hours a 
week, earning $12 per week. He worked at the factory until a friend 
offered him a job at a drive-in making $15 a week. In 1938, James wed 
his beloved wife, Alma ``Mozelle'' Woodall Boswell. They were married 
for 76 years until her passing in 2014.
  Mr. Boswell was working for the FBI in Washington, D.C. when Japan 
attacked the United States in 1941. Mr. Boswell felt it was his duty to 
serve his country, so he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps at the start of 
World War II. He qualified to fly the new B-17 Flying Fortress. He flew 
51 combat missions throughout Italy, France, Czechoslovakia, 
Yugoslavia, Hungary, Greece, Germany, and Austria during his three 
years of service. Mr. Boswell credits the Tuskegee Airmen for his 
crews' safe returns, and says he remained in contact with many of them 
for several years after returning home.
  James Boswell's three brothers also served our country with honor. 
The youngest, Harvey, served as a Merchant Marine. George Boswell 
served with the 8th and 9th Air Forces in Europe during World War II. 
Delmar was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne.
  Having worked most of his life, James Boswell returned home to Wilson 
where he opened a grocery store, the Super Food Center, located on 
Herring Avenue.
  In addition to his service to our country, Mr. Boswell has selflessly 
given of his time and efforts to work in his community, serving as a 
Mason and Shriner for nearly 65 years. He is also a faithful member of 
First Christian Church in Wilson, where he has held several positions 
in leadership including chairman, elder, and deacon. Today, James 
Boswell continues to drive himself to Faith Christian Church every 
Sunday.
  The most important thing to James Boswell has always been his family. 
He has one daughter, Debby Boswell Keller of North Carolina, and one 
son, James Boswell, Jr. of Illinois. In describing her father, Debby 
stated, ``he is the most caring and giving person I know.''
  James Boswell has lived an incredible life that, by the grace of God, 
has spanned an entire century. His selfless and lifelong dedication to 
his country and community are beyond remarkable, and he is truly an 
inspiration and role model for us all. His love for his family, 
friends, church, and community knows no bounds.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to such a dedicated and 
honorable veteran. I am immensely proud to have Mr. James Marshall 
Boswell as a constituent, and I wish him a very Happy 100th birthday. 
May God continue to bless him and his family.

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