[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 10, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING WALTER RAYMOND BOWERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Rutherford) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 95-years-young 
Walter Raymond Bowers from Jacksonville, Florida.
  Walter was born March 16, 1927, in Dayton, Ohio. He moved to 
Jacksonville, Florida, as an infant and was raised by his maternal 
grandmother, Sadie Perry.
  When he was 17, Walter joined the United States Navy and served in 
the Pacific theater during World War II where he earned the Philippine 
Liberation Ribbon, one star; the World War II Victory Medal; the 
American Campaign Ribbon; and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, five 
stars.
  After the war, Walter was assigned to the USS Pine Island and 
participated in Operation Highjump, which established the Antarctic 
research base known as Little America IV.
  At the rank of boiler technician III 3rd class, Raymond Bowers was 
honorably discharged from the Navy on July 19, 1948. Just one week 
later, on July 26, 1948, he married Mary Dopson, the love of his life 
and mother of their three children: Walter, Jr., Margaret, and Paul.
  Walter returned to Jacksonville and enlisted in the Naval Reserves 
where he served for 8 more years. He then began working for the city of 
Jacksonville road department where he spent 20 years of faithful 
service.
  Walter and Mary both surrendered their lives to Christ in 1950, which 
led him to a new calling, one of a real ministry.
  Walter joined A.B. Wainwright, and for 18 years they were planting 
and pastoring Pentecostal churches all across Jacksonville. Even after 
his professional retirement in 1968, Walter continued this ministry by 
planting a new church in Jacksonville's Dinsmore community. He started 
Wayside Assembly of God in 1973 where he served as senior pastor for 
more than 32 years.
  His commitment to our Lord Jesus, his family, his community, and his 
country have contributed to this incredible legacy. May God continue to 
richly bless Walter for his amazing life of selfless service.

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