[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25353]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       HONORING MONTE BLUM AND HIS HEROIC SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2000

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, today I honor a great man, a real American 
hero. My statement today is a formal ``Thank You'' to Mr. Monte Blum, a 
proud veteran from World War II. It is a thank you he has never 
expected or asked for from his country.
  The middle son of Russian immigrants, 19-year old Monte Blum enlisted 
in the Army and volunteered for the hazardous duty of disarming 
underwater mines as a deep sea diver in the 106th Engineering Corps. 
Clearing the way for ally shipping lanes off the coast of France in 
1944, Cpl. Blum's attempt to disarm an enemy mine was disastrous when 
the explosive detonated.
  With little chance for survival, Cpl. Blum was transported to a 
military hospital in Wales. His oldest brother Herman Blum, who 
received medals for heroism in the Battle of the Bulge, traveled from 
his post in Germany to take his younger brother back to America to live 
out his last days.
  Herman was determined not to let his brother Monte die overseas. 
After months of prayer, a miracle occurred--Monte Blum survived. He was 
subsequently awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
  Monte Blum will be turning 75 on February 26. He has been married to 
Helene Englander for 49 years and raised a son, Murray and a daughter, 
Robin. His children say that affection for their father gave them 
strength as Mr. Blum was in and out of the hospital during their youth. 
After dozens upon dozens of operations, medical technology finally was 
able to stem the constant discomfort they saw him endure while they 
were growing up. Helene was a constant rock and loving companion in 
tough years that would have sent most weaker wives packing.
  In spite of his disability, Monte Blum was a hard working and 
successful business man all his life. No one but his immediate family 
ever knew that he had health problems. He held his head high, and 
provided a happy home or a well-loved family. He not only sent his two 
children to college but was instrumental for the education of 2 
neighborhood kids. When there wasn't a synagogue in Baltimore where he 
bought his family a home, he pitched in and built one.
  He taught his children about sacrifice and his undying love of our 
country. He emphasized the values of family, Judaism and kindness. His 
wife and children watched him laugh when he should have cried and 
never, never ever to this day, did he once complain.
  His family has endured many tragedies. His older brother Lt. Senior 
Grade, Murray Blum, at 22, was killed in action as he dove overboard 
from a Merchant Marine vessel to rescue a drowning Swedish sailor, the 
only man to have perished on the ship, the SS Leonardis Polk. Murray 
Blum is buried in Cambridge, England at the beautifully tendered U.S. 
Military Cemetery. His brother Simon who worked stateside in the 
service because of a disability, died of a heart attack, after the war.
  Retired Major Herman Blum, who received a Bronze Star, died September 
23, 2000 at age 82 and received a full military send-off befitting a 
retired Army Major and now rests with his parents and brothers.
  At this point in is life, Monte Blum is a frail health, but still 
walks with dignity and the step of a man half his age. He is surrounded 
by those who adore him. Monte Blum and his youngest brother Calvin, who 
was in the 67th Flight Corps, remain the best of friends.
  He is a living monument and the embodiment, the heart and soul of the 
greatest generation. With Veterans Day approaching, we would do well to 
recount the service and sacrifice of veterans like Monte Blum.

                          ____________________