[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 194 (Thursday, November 4, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H6184-H6185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING BILL WOMACK, WORLD WAR II HERO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Pfluger) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in advance of Veterans Day, to 
take a moment for our country, to take a moment and to thank those who 
have served. You are going to see some faces on here, and I am just 
going to highlight five individuals from my district in West Texas, 
amongst the thousands who have offered to serve. Many of these are part 
of the Greatest Generation and this is the greatest country in the 
world, and it is because of their sacrifices.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a World War II hero, Mr. Bill 
Womack of Midland, Texas, who celebrated his 100th birthday this year. 
Mr. Womack joined the National Guard immediately after graduating high 
school. And after the Pearl Harbor bombing, Mr. Womack became an 
artilleryman stationed in North Africa and Europe.
  Bill is one of the legendary Texas Liberators, a group of 488 Texans 
who fought against the Nazi regime to liberate Jewish prisoners. He was 
among the group of heroes who first breached the concentration camp, 
Dachau, and helped bring World War II prisoners to safety.
  Countless lives were saved because of the efforts and the 
selflessness of Mr. Womack.

                              {time}  1030


                        Recognizing Phil George

  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a hero of mine, 
Mr. Phil George, of San Angelo, Texas, a distinguished veteran and 
university basketball coach.
  Mr. George is a legend in my hometown of San Angelo. He is a veteran 
of not only World War II and Korea, but also of Vietnam where he spent 
years as an incredibly talented fighter pilot.
  When our Nation called, he answered, multiple times. I cannot 
overstate the sacrifices that he made both professionally and also in 
his community after his service in the military. Not only is he a hero, 
but he is also a mentor to so many.
  He leaves a legacy in San Angelo to this day of the selfless ability 
to lead others, to motivate others, to a life of service. His stories 
are incredible. His faith in God is palpable, and his love for his late 
wife, Toddy, and his entire family, are inspiring.
  In addition to his record of service, he has an incredible record as 
a basketball coach and athletic director at Angelo State University.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. George for his service to this Nation.


                     Recognizing Maynard Schwertner

  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Maynard Schwertner, 
a Vietnam veteran who spent his entire life in the service of this 
country, both in Vietnam and back at home.
  As a well driller in Vietnam, Mr. Schwertner spent his time providing 
clean water for civilians and the military. Back at home, Mr. 
Schwertner has dedicated his life to serving fellow veterans, and that 
includes helping establish Vietnam veterans chapters, memorials, and 
support groups in San Angelo, Texas. He is a distinguished member of 
the community who lives a life dedicated to supporting our Nation and 
our Armed Forces.


                      Recognizing Gilberto Torres

  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Gilberto Torres for 
his service in World War II. Gilberto was part of the second wave of 
the D-day invasion of Normandy, the legendary amphibious invasion that 
turned the tide of the war and led the allies to liberate Europe.
  Tragically, when trekking through war-torn Europe, Gilberto was fired 
upon and struck by enemy machine guns. He survived his injuries and was 
honorably discharged, but not before earning many medals for his 
heroism and his bravery, including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star 
Medal, and many more. He is in his 90s today and he hopes to visit 
Normandy. I hope he can do that.


                        Recognizing J.L. Stevens

  Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. J.L. Stevens, a 
west Texan, a World War II veteran who also took part in both the 
Normandy invasion on D-day and the invasion of Okinawa.
  His service to this country was inspired at the age of 17 as he 
enlisted in the Navy with the desire to follow in the footsteps of his 
brother. Stevens' sacrifice helped create a safer world for his two 
daughters, his six grandchildren, and his 12 great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I think it is important for us to recognize the service 
of all of these servicemembers as we approach Veterans Day. These are 
just a few stories, among many, bipartisan in all of our districts. My 
hope is that this country can look to the service of these, many of 
whom are part of the greatest generation, and we can realize that this 
is the greatest country in the world, but it is not without sacrifice.

[[Page H6185]]

  It is these folks and it is their families' sacrifice who brought us 
together. Once again, I believe that going forward, veterans just like 
these will continue to bring us together. It is my challenge to 
everybody in this body and all across the United States that we 
recognize our veterans' service and their families' sacrifices as we 
approach Veterans Day.

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