[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 21, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H4014-H4015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL VETERANS CEMETERY ON THE SOUTH PLAINS OF WEST 
                                 TEXAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Arrington) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
effort to establish a national veterans cemetery on the south plains of 
west Texas.
  Dating back to the Civil War, the 147 national cemeteries across 
America are a powerful way to honor those who have gone before us who 
wore the uniform of the United States and remind us every day of the 1 
percent of Americans who were willing to sacrifice everything in 
defense of our freedom and security.
  For some, they serve as what President Lincoln called ``a final 
resting place for those who gave their lives that our Nation might 
live.''
  Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting with several distinguished 
veterans who have made it their mission to see this vision become a 
reality.

                              {time}  1015

  Among them were four generals, who have chosen to reside in a little 
slice of heaven that Chairman Mike Conaway and I call west Texas. I am 
so honored that they are with us here today in the gallery.
  General Edgar Murphy was the commanding general of the 49th Armored 
Division of the Army National Guard for the State of Texas. In his 
distinguished 42-year military career, he was awarded numerous medals, 
including the Legion of Merit. Today the Armed Forces Guard and Reserve 
Center in Lubbock is named in General Murphy's honor.
  General Anne Sobel is a former major general in the Arizona Air 
National Guard who served as the first female homeland security 
director for the State of New Mexico. Today she continues by serving 
and teaching at my alma mater, Texas Tech University.
  Brigadier General Gary Harber is a veteran with 42 years of service 
and a master army aviator. General Harber also served as the NATO 
northern regional wartime construction manager and commander from 1989 
to 1995, responsible for the United Kingdom, Norway, and Denmark.
  Last but certainly not least is my good friend Lieutenant General 
Bernie Mittemeyer. General Mittemeyer served 28 years in the U.S. Army, 
earning numerous awards and decorations. He served as our Surgeon 
General of the Army from 1981 until his retirement in 1985, and he also 
served as commanding general of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 
Washington, D.C.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent over 40,000 veterans in my 
district and rural America. If you take into consideration eastern New 
Mexico that this national cemetery would serve, it is over 70,000 
veterans.
  We must ensure that the commitment we make to our veterans isn't 
reserved only for those veterans living in population centers, whether 
it is long-term care, services for the disabled, or respect that is 
owed our honored dead. We must never forget all veterans, including 
those living in rural parts of our country.
  Madam Speaker, no group of Americans believes more adamantly in the 
importance of a strong defense and the mission of our military to keep 
us safe and free than the good people of west Texas.
  Their duty was to serve. Our duty is to remember them. One of the 
best

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ways we can do that is by giving them a hero's burial in a national 
cemetery.
  God bless our veterans. And go west Texas.

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