[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 160 (Wednesday, September 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              REMEMBERING FIREMAN 2ND CLASS ALBERT RENNER

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, today, as he is buried in the North Dakota 
Veterans Cemetery just outside of his hometown of Mandan, ND, I honor 
the life and patriotism of Navy Fireman 2nd Class Albert Renner. Like 
so many young men of this ``greatest generation,'' he answered the call 
to defend his country during World War II. On December 7, 1941, at the 
age of 24, he made the ultimate sacrifice along with 2,402 other 
soldiers and sailors during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He was 
serving on the USS West Virginia, which sank after being hit by at 
least seven torpedoes and two bombs.
  Last year, aided by a positive DNA sent by his surviving siblings 
several decades ago, Albert Renner's remains were finally positively 
identified. On Tuesday, his body arrived at the Minneapolis airport. A 
full military escort motorcade carrying his casket traveled the 400 
miles home to Mandan. Many citizens, including veterans and fire and 
police men and women, stopped along the highway to solemnly pay their 
respects as the motorcade passed by.
  Attending today's funeral service and burial are members of his 
family who have traveled from across the Nation to pay their respects 
to this beloved member of their family. Even though many of them never 
met him, together they are mourning the lost blessings of Albert not 
being a part of their family for the past 79 years.
  Albert could have had a rewarding life on the family farm or in some 
other profession. He could have had a wife and family and home of his 
own. His burial service today is a poignant reminder of how the 
sacrifice of heroes defending our Nation have an impact far into the 
future on those who knew and loved them--and those who never will.
  Navy Fireman 2nd Class Albert Renner died so Americans could live in 
peace and prosperity. He is now back in his home State, lying in 
eternal rest with other North Dakota heroes. I thank the many patriots 
who are committed to identifying the remains of all unknown American 
service members and bringing them home.
  To the family of Navy Fireman 2nd Class Albert Renner, I join 
citizens across our State and Nation in sending our sincere 
condolences. It is heroes like Albert who have kept our communities, 
State, Nation, and world safe. His life made a difference in the lives 
of all of us. We are forever grateful.

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