[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20678]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOEL BOUCHARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 4, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
pay tribute to veteran Joel Bouchard from Clifton, Colorado, for 
overcoming adversity. Joel served his country as a soldier in World War 
II, and after being injured in battle, went to school to begin a new 
career. He was determined to triumph over his injuries, and I would 
like to join my colleagues here today in recognizing his tremendous 
achievement before this body of Congress.
  On September 25 1944, Joel Bouchard was fighting the German army in a 
German forest when shrapnel injured his leg. He would be treated in a 
MASH unit and then have several follow-up surgeries in an English 
Hospital. Because of the injury, Joel's' right leg is paralyzed from 
the knee down. The injury prohibited him from retuning to his job in a 
ball bearing plant. Thankfully, a program created in 1945 by the Joseph 
Bulova School of Watchmaking would provide Joel a new beginning. The 
Bulova family established the school to allow disabled veterans to be 
self-sufficient. Jewelers throughout the country committed over 1500 
positions to the graduates of the school. The son of a blacksmith, Joel 
excelled as a student and has been a master horologist for half a 
century.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor Joel Bouchard for his service 
to this country and his courage to overcome his serious injury. Joel 
serves as an example to us all that there is always hope, and a chance 
for a new beginning, and it is with great pleasure to recognize him 
today before this body of Congress and this Nation. Thank you, Joel, 
for you service to this country. Your story of perseverance serves as 
an inspiration to us all. I wish you the best in all of you future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________