[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 83 (Wednesday, May 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF GENE MAURECE HARPER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NORMA J. TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2023

  Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
celebrate the 100th birthday of Gene Maurece Harper.
  Gene was born April 10, 1923, in Ontario, California. He grew up in 
Ontario and graduated from Chaffey High School. Just months before the 
attack on Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941, Gene had enrolled at 
Chaffey Junior College. Rather than staying to finish school, Gene felt 
called to serve and enlisted in the Naval Reserve. Beginning in June 
1943, at 20 years old, he served aboard the LST 952 during World War II 
and was sent to sea in November 1944. On April 1, 1945, his ship sent 
Marines into Okinawa, Japan where they took Yontan Airfield, which 
served as an important victory for the United States. After the war, 
Gene completed his bachelor's degree at Colorado State University. He 
returned to Ontario, California and worked for the County of San 
Bernardino as an Entomologist, a scientist who studies insects. 
Eventually, he became the Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture for the 
county. He and his wife, Ndala Grace Hall, have been happily married 
for 67 years. The couple have 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandsons.
  On behalf of the 35th Congressional District, I congratulate Gene on 
this incredible milestone. It is my honor to represent courageous 
people like him. I am grateful for his service to this county. I hope 
that he enjoys much happiness in the coming year.

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