[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 187 (Monday, November 13, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H5675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING A GREAT NEBRASKAN AND PATRIOT, JOHN ``GENE'' SLATTERY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Smith) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great 
Nebraskan and patriot, John ``Gene'' Slattery, affectionately known as 
``the boy who sold his shirt'' because of his extraordinary efforts as 
a young boy to raise funds for North Platte, Nebraska's World War II 
Canteen.
  Gene recently passed away at the age of 90. The North Platte Canteen 
was one of the largest volunteer efforts during the war, providing 
millions of American soldiers who passed through North Platte by rail 
with meals, baked goods, and other items.
  Gene was the last surviving major figure of the beloved Canteen, but 
his work and legacy, and the work and legacy of the entire Canteen, 
won't ever be forgotten.
  Upon learning of the Canteen as a 9-year-old, Gene began donating for 
auction anything he could find--toys, scrap metal, even the shirt off 
his back. By the end of the war, Gene had raised more than $2,000 for 
the Canteen. His contributions and fundraising gained national 
recognition and were noticed by President Franklin Roosevelt, who sent 
Gene a letter and a $5 donation.

  Gene and the North Platte Canteen volunteers represent the very best 
of Nebraska and America. The Canteen volunteers and the great lengths 
to which they went to support our troops will always live on in our 
hearts.

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