[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING MR. WILLIAM EDWARD MONFORT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 2023

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American 
hero, Mr. William Edward Monfort, on his 107th birthday. Mr. Monfort, a 
Floridian and a revered member of our greatest generation, has led a 
life marked by exceptional service and resilience.
  As a young man, he enlisted in the Navy and served with valor and 
distinction during World War II. Aboard the USS Claxton and in the 
Destroyer Squadron 23, Mr, Monfort played a crucial role as a Chief 
Radioman, ensuring critical communications during some of the most 
pivotal battles of the Pacific Theater, including Pearl Harbor, Midway, 
and Okinawa.
  After the war, Mr. Monfort continued to serve his community in 
profound ways. He co-founded Angels Unaware, a pioneering organization 
in Tampa Bay that provides care for individuals with developmental 
disabilities.
  We thank Mr. Monfort for his exemplary contribution to our country, 
and wish him a happy 107th birthday. May his story continue to inspire 
us all.

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