[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 125 (Friday, July 16, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF FRED ROGERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 16, 2021

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the exemplary life 
of Fred Rogers, the outgoing commander of American Legion Peter J. 
Courcy Post 178 in Frisco, Texas. Mr. Rogers has conducted his life 
with distinguished service to his community and nation through his 
service in the U.S. Armed Forces and his subsequent volunteer efforts.
  Mr. Rogers served honorably as an Air Policeman in the U.S. Air Force 
from 1960 to 1964. After retiring from his decades-long civilian career 
as a pilot, Mr. Rogers joined the American Legion in 2008. Mr. Rogers' 
leadership roles at Holley-Riddle Post 21--Frisco and Bill Bryan Post 
110--McKinney led to him receiving Pioneer Awards for the organization 
of those two posts. In 2013, he was named the Texas 4th District 
Adjutant.
  Being a founding post member, Mr. Rogers has served as Post 178's 
commander since its inception in December 2013. His tireless efforts to 
bolster the new post's community involvement and promote its membership 
led to Post 178 earning the Texas Post Excellence Award from 2015 
through 2019. Only three posts in Texas receive this honor yearly, and 
Mr. Rogers' dedicated leadership as commander merited the award for 
four consecutive years. From 2016 to 2018, Post 178 was also awarded 
the National Post Excellence award. Despite the post's recent founding, 
it is one of the most recognized and fastest growing in the state of 
Texas.
  During his time as Post 178 Commander, Mr. Rogers has organized 
Memorial Day events, sponsored dozens of high school juniors for 
American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, 
promoted the annual American Legion High School Oratorical contest, and 
worked alongside the Wreaths Across America organization at the Dallas-
Fort Worth national cemetery. Mr. Rogers served as the Texas State Vice 
Commander in 2014 through 2015. In 2019, he received a third Pioneer 
Award for the organization of Post 268--Sanger.
  I join Post 178 and the Frisco community in thanking Mr. Rogers for 
his devoted service to our veterans and his fellow citizens. He is 
truly an outstanding model of selfless civic service.

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