[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 28, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2284-S2285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO TERRY HAMBY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, our country recently took a long-
overdue step toward honoring the courageous Americans who served in the 
First World War. Earlier this month and more than a century after the 
formal end of the war, the United States raised the flag over the newly 
constructed National World War I Memorial. I am immensely proud of this 
tribute in our Nation's Capital to the 4.7 million Americans who 
sacrificed to preserve our way of life. Today, I would like give 
special thanks to a remarkable Kentuckian who became a driving force 
bringing this memorial into existence. My longtime friend Terry Hamby, 
from Cadiz, is the chair of the World War I Centennial Commission. He 
deserves our sincere gratitude for his leadership and perseverance in 
giving every American the opportunity to honor our heroes.

[[Page S2285]]

  Through the generations, the Hamby family has proudly answered the 
Nation's call to military service. The noble tradition dates back to 
the Civil War and Terry's great-grandfather's service in the Union 
Army. His grandfather and father each courageously defended our country 
in a global war. Next, it was Terry's turn to wear the uniform as part 
of a Naval Air Wing in Vietnam. He later joined the U.S. Army Reserves 
until he retired following 26 years of military service. Terry's son 
continued the family legacy by joining the Navy in the Persian Gulf. 
Service and sacrifice are personal to this family.
  Even when Terry retired from the military, he continued working to 
support the world's greatest fighting force. His hometown in Christian 
County, KY, neighbors Fort Campbell, one of our country's premier 
military installations. Terry founded a contracting firm to provide 
services to the Defense Department and the men and women stationed at 
the base nearby, including the famed ``Screaming Eagles'' of the 101st 
Airborne Division.
  To know Terry is to instantly like him. I have had the privilege to 
call him a friend for many years, and I have always been impressed by 
his love of our country and respect for the men and women who protect 
it. So when I had the chance through my leadership position to appoint 
a member of the World War I Centennial Commission, Terry was the clear 
choice. His family's tradition of service, as well as his civilian 
contributions to the military, gave him an important perspective for 
this project. I also knew the commission would benefit from Terry's 
business mindset as it raised funds to advance its mission. His 
colleagues on the commission quickly recognized his talents too. They 
elected Terry to chair the organization and this monumental effort to 
honor America's heroes.
  The memorial found a fitting home only blocks from the White House in 
a park named for General John J. Pershing, the commander of the 
American Expeditionary Forces on the Western Front of World War I. 
After an international competition with more than 300 entries, the 
commission selected a design titled ``The Weight of Sacrifice.'' Terry 
and his wife, Carolyn, recently took Elaine and me on a tour of the 
memorial. One of its most striking features is an approximately 60 foot 
long depiction of ``A Soldier's Journey.'' Dozens of overlapping 
figures tell the stories of warriors leaving home for the battlefield 
before their ultimate triumph. It is emotional piece that shows these 
soldiers' toil and sacrifice to build a lasting peace.
  Even now that the memorial is officially open to the public, Terry 
hasn't stopped working to honor the World War I generation. He has 
turned his attention to gathering support for recognition of female 
telephone operators called the ``Hello Girls.'' Other than nurses, 
these were the first women in uniform who played a consequential role 
in our country's wartime effort. With Terry working for their cause, I 
am confident these selfless women will receive the national attention 
and gratitude they deserve.
  So I encourage my Senate colleagues and all Americans to plan a visit 
to the World War I Memorial. It is a striking commemoration of our 
brave men and women in uniform, those who supported them, and the 
Americans who never came home. Terry Hamby has earned our praise for 
his unyielding drive to build this tribute. Without him, the United 
States would still be waiting for a proper memorial to these heroes. 
Kentucky and our country are proud of the mark he has left on our 
Nation's Capital.

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