[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 105 (Friday, June 21, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 RECOGNIZING UNITED STATES NAVY WORLD WAR II VETERAN BERNARD M. RICE'S 
                             100TH BIRTHDAY

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                       HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 21, 2024

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bernard M. 
Rice, a United States Navy World War II veteran and a remarkable 
constituent from my district, and to pay tribute to his celebration of 
his 100th birthday.
  Bernard was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 19, 1924. He attended 
Calvert Hall High School, where he was an accomplished student and 
soccer player. After graduation in 1943, he enlisted into the United 
States Navy. Bernard served proudly during World War II as a 
Quartermaster 2nd Class on the USS New Kent (APA-217, which were part 
of the Amphibious Personnel Assault Ships). On Easter Sunday morning, 
April 1, 1945, Bernard helped to navigate the initial landing of the 
USS New Kent onto the beaches of Okinawa, Japan, as part of Operation 
Iceberg, the United States invasion of Japan. For the next seven days, 
Bernard and the USS New Kent made repeated landings transporting 
thousands of soldiers to support the Okinawa invasion.
  After World War II, Bernard returned to Maryland. He attended the 
University of Maryland where he majored in Business and minored in 
Industrial Engineering. After graduation, Bernard worked for his 
father's mechanical contracting company. Several years later Bernard 
assumed the leadership of the company and successfully led its 
operation and expansion over the next 40 years until his retirement.
  Bernard was a devoted husband of 72 years to his wife Norma, who 
sadly passed away in 2020. Together they raised four children in 
Severna Park, Maryland, where Bernard enjoyed his love of sailing. He 
moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania in 2015. In addition to his four 
children, Bernard has nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
  As we celebrate his 100 years of life, we are incredibly grateful for 
the many positive impacts he has made. We want to thank him for his 
devoted service to our Country, and we heartily wish Bernard continued 
joy and God's blessings for the future.

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