[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 213 (Thursday, December 9, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9091-S9092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO LEVILLE STEPHENS

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
100th birthday of World War II veteran Leville Stephens.
  I am proud to celebrate this milestone and honor his service and 
sacrifice in our Nation's uniform.
  Mr. Stephens answered the call to serve. He trained at Fort Huachuca 
in Arizona, one of 30,0000 African-American soldiers who prepared for 
battle at this location before deploying overseas. He was assigned to 
the 93rd Infantry Division and shipped to the Pacific theater.
  As a private first class, Mr. Stephens served in a number of 
dangerous locations during the war, including the Philippines, New 
Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. He was on his way to Japan when the 
United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, bringing about the 
Japanese surrender.
  Mr. Stephens described his mindset while in uniform as simply ``doing 
his

[[Page S9092]]

duty as a soldier.'' He believed his job was to follow his orders and 
do what needed to be done. That attitude, shared by so many of his 
fellow soldiers among the Greatest Generation, helped the United States 
achieve victory and secure a desperately needed peace.
  He is rightfully proud of his service, alongside his family and 
friends among whom he also inspires admiration and gratitude by being a 
devoted husband to his wife Hattie and a dutiful father and 
grandfather.
  Mr. Stephens is a true American hero whose determination and 
dedication helped change the course of history. He answered his 
country's call to arms with courage, bravery, and honor. Our Nation 
owes him a debt of gratitude for his efforts to defend the freedoms we 
hold dear and defeat tyranny around the globe.
  I am honored to recognize his serve and sacrifice, and wish him a 
very special and wonderful 100th birthday.

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