[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 82 (Wednesday, May 12, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H2205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF ERNEST EDISON WEST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Massie) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of my 
constituents, Ernie Edison West, who passed from this life on May 1. 
His fellow soldiers knew him as Private First Class West. His friends 
knew him as Ernie. Mr. West bravely served his country during the 
Korean War, and his heroic actions earned him our Nation's highest 
military honors, including both a Medal of Honor from President 
Eisenhower, and later a Purple Heart.
  Although Mr. West lost one of his eyes while defending and saving the 
lives of several of his fellow soldiers in Korea, he never considered 
himself disabled. As a town mayor, coach, friend, and mentor to many, 
Mr. West was an unconditional friend to all he met, and lived a life of 
selfless service to his community. He worked all his life to help 
veterans and was buried in the very cemetery, the Veterans Cemetery 
North East in Greenup County, for which he, himself, worked to secure 
the land and the funding. Mr. West's efforts were also crucial to the 
establishment of the Greenup County War Memorial. This memorial honors 
hometown heroes on the main street of Mr. West's hometown in Wurtland, 
Kentucky.
  Mr. West leaves behind his daughter, Amy West Hogsett and her 
husband, Randy; five granddaughters; and seven great-grandchildren. In 
the words of his niece, Marny Gilluly, Mr. West was ``larger than life, 
truly a hero to many, and personified the good in people.'' May this 
brave hero rest in peace.

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