[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 198 (Tuesday, November 25, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LUCILLE HOBACK BOGGESS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 25, 2025

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
work of Bedford County icon Lucille Hoback Boggess, who passed away on 
November 19, 2025, at the age of 96.
  On June 8, 1929, Ms. Hoback Boggess was born into the Hoback family. 
The Bedford County family would eventually consist of 7 children.
  While Ms. Hoback Boggess was attending Bedford High School, some of 
the Hobacks were serving the United States Armed Forces during World 
War II.
  Unbeknownst to her, as Ms. Hoback Boggess was preparing to celebrate 
her 15th birthday in Bedford, Virginia, her brothers Bedford and 
Raymond were preparing for a heroic mission to break Fortress Europe 
and push back against Nazi tyranny.
  Two days before her birthday, Bedford and Raymond stormed Omaha Beach 
as part of Company A, 116th Regiment, 29th Division. They were at the 
point of the sphere of the Allied D-Day landings in Normandy.
  While Allied forces would prevail over their enemies, Bedford and 
Raymond would lose their lives that day on Omaha Beach. Her brothers 
were two of the 20 lives lost from Bedford, Virginia.
  The Bedford community suffered the most deaths per capita than any 
other American community on June 6, 1944. Today, these patriots are 
better remembered as the Bedford Boys.
  Ms. Hoback Boggess and their family would not learn of their 
brothers' deaths for weeks.
  While enduring this family hardship, Ms. Hoback Boggess sustained her 
educational progress. She graduated from Bedford High School and later 
attended Lynchburg's Phillips Business College.
  Following these experiences, Ms. Hoback Boggess pursued a lengthy 
career with the Bedford County Commissioner of Revenue's office. She 
developed great institutional knowledge from working for the 
Commissioner of Revenue, helping prepare state and federal tax returns 
and eventually running much of the daily office activities.
  Thanks to this work, Ms. Hoback Boggess believed she could serve the 
County in an enhanced role. And the people of Bedford County believed 
in her.
  In 1967, Bedford County residents elected Ms. Hoback Boggess as 
Commissioner of Revenue. She was the first-ever woman elected to 
countywide office in Bedford County.
  As a popular official, Ms. Hoback Boggess continued to earn the trust 
of Bedford County residents. Her leadership as Commissioner of Revenue 
continued for decades.
  In 1991, Bedford County entrusted Ms. Hoback Boggess with a new 
office. She was elected to the Board of Supervisors with a resounding 
3-to-1 margin. Ms. Hoback Boggess once again made history, becoming the 
first female to serve the Bedford County Board of Supervisors, 
eventually becoming Chairman.
  A 1997 Roanoke Times article credits Ms. Hoback Boggess as Bedford 
County's most popular and skilled elected official with reputations as 
a compassionate listener, moderator and peacemaker.
  Ms. Hoback Boggess' service to Bedford County spanned over 60 years. 
While her public service alone would be worthy of commendation, one of 
her most cherished and celebrated roles was her help in remembering the 
sacrifices of her brothers.
  Ms. Hoback Boggess dedicated significant attention, time, and effort 
to engage, memorialize, and pay respects to those who served on D-Day, 
including her two brothers. Her help along with Bob Slaughter 
culminated in the founding and creation of the National D-Day Memorial, 
located in Bedford, Virginia.
  It was during this time that I had the honor of meeting Ms. Hoback 
Boggess when my friend Delegate Lacey Putney introduced me to her while 
she was lobbying Virginia's General Assembly to support state funding 
for the National D-Day Memorial.
  The National D-Day Memorial is a significant symbol for Virginia. It 
represents service, grit, honor, sacrifice and much more.
  Not only did Ms. Hoback Boggess cherish her brothers, but she 
dutifully tended to and cared for her family. Her loving marriage to 
Ralph Boggess lasted nearly 60 years, cut short by his death in 2007. 
Ms. Hoback Boggess is survived by her children: Carl (Lynn), Ann 
(Dwayne), John (Ryan), and David (Robin). She is also survived by 
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, former tax 
customers, and fans around the world.
  Today, we celebrate the inspirational legacy of Ms. Lucille Hoback 
Boggess. Her remarkable tenure as an elected official and National D-
Day Memorial advocate are to be commended. I join Bedford County and 
Virginia in mourning the loss of this beloved figure.

                          ____________________