[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 46 (Thursday, March 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E237-E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING GEORGIANNA ``GEORGIE'' CARTER-KRELL IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S 
                             HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 2021

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Madam Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I 
rise today to recognize Georgianna ``Georgie'' Carter-Krell, whose 
dedication to our nation's veterans, amidst her own personal tragedy, 
has had a significant impact on our country and South Florida.
  Born in Massachusetts on August 25, 1932, Georgie and her three 
children moved to Florida in the 1960s, and they quickly found 
themselves living in Hialeah. Georgie's only son, Bruce Wayne Carter, 
enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1968 to defend his nation 
during the Vietnam War. Private First Class Carter served in Company H, 
2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, and was killed in action on August 7, 1969 
in the Quang Tri Province. At the young age of nineteen, PFC Carter put 
the lives of his fellow soldiers ahead of his own, and, when ambushed, 
used his own body to shield his men from an enemy grenade. He was 
buried with Military Funeral Honors on August 25, 1969 at the Vista 
Memorial Gardens in Miami Lakes, Florida.
  PFC Carter's heroic act quickly reached the White House, where, in 
1971, Bruce was posthumously awarded our nation's highest recognition, 
the Medal of Honor. In the years that followed Bruce's death, Georgie 
truly turned her grief into action and became an advocate for our 
veterans. Initially, she volunteered with her neighbor at the Miami VA 
hospital and assisted those who had strokes or other injuries which 
prevented them from feeding themselves. They quickly became known as 
the Silver Spoons and traveled throughout the nation to VA hospitals 
promoting this program. Georgie became an integral member of the 
American Gold Star Mothers, where she served as the National President 
twice, in 2001 and 2008. With the help of former Congresswoman, and my 
good friend, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Miami VA Hospital was renamed the 
Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center in 2008.
  While Georgie became a steadfast voice for those who needed her most, 
she continued to regret that her son was buried in Florida and not at 
Arlington National Cemetery. As a result, Georgie worked with my team 
and me to have Bruce's remains transferred to Arlington, and, on 
November 4, 2020, PFC Carter was laid to rest with Military Funeral 
Honors at Arlington National Cemetery. This act served as an important 
reminder to all that a soldier's life is always valued, no matter how 
much time has passed.
  Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to know Mrs. Carter-Krell and I 
commend her for her dedication to preserving her son's memory and her 
unwavering support for our veterans. Georgie is a true patriot and I 
ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this outstanding 
individual.

[[Page E238]]

  

                          ____________________