[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 176 (Tuesday, November 5, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





       HONORING THE LIFE OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN WILLIE J. ADAMS

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                          HON. NORMA J. TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 5, 2019

  Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life of World War II veteran Willie J. Adams and his tireless 
dedication to community and country.
  Willie served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. 
An original Montford Point Marine, Willie was one of 20,000 African 
American men who helped defeat Hitler and desegregate the Marines. He 
was honorably discharged in 1946 but he lived by the motto, ``Once a 
Marine, always a Marine,'' and was a committed lifetime member of the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8852.
  Willie was a model of honor and duty to his community when he 
returned home. As a Rapides Parish school bus driver, he mentored 
countless students and was a father figure to many. Willie was a 
dedicated Christian who served both in Church and at large in the 
community. He often participated in senior citizen events throughout 
the area, and in his free time, could be found outdoors fishing or 
hunting. The anchor of his family, he was married for over 60 years to 
his wife Josephine Adams, with whom he raised two daughters.
  While spending his last days at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 
Willie made sure that every member of the VFW was able to visit and 
play games. In recognition of his accomplishments and character, Willie 
was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on November 9, 
2019.
  For his exemplary life of service, Madam Speaker, it is my honor to 
recognize Willie J. Adams. His decades of commitment and contributions 
to his community and country are worthy of admiration, and his memory 
will live on through the countless lives he impacted. May he rest in 
peace

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