[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16969-16970]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE COURAGE AND SERVICE OF THE WORLD WAR II VETERANS OF 
                             IBEW LOCAL 601

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 7, 2009

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to the Veterans of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 
Local 601 in Champaign, Illinois. On July 11, IBEW Local 601 will be 
sponsoring a World War II Heritage Day which will honor 48 of their 
members who fought for our freedom in World War II.
  The citizens of the United States of America find great inspiration 
in the men and women of our armed forces. We hold our revered veterans 
with the highest respect and admiration, remembering those who stepped 
forth with tremendous courage to make the ultimate sacrifice in World 
War II. On July 11, 2009 we join to celebrate a particularly inspiring 
group of this nation's citizens, the World War II Veterans of IBEW 
Local 601 who served with remarkable dedication to protect our 
cherished ideals of freedom and democracy.
  Throughout the history of our great nation, brave and patriotic 
individuals answered the most honorable call to serve this country. Out 
of the bloodshed and carnage of World War II rose shining examples of 
selfless courage, heroism and glorious deeds performed under the direst 
of circumstances and against a background of unprecedented loss of 
lives.
  From the moment of the first attack upon Pearl Harbor to the 
declarations of victory in Europe and Japan, this assault waged upon 
the entire world took an enormous toll in terms of human casualties. 
They went off willingly to the battlefields, seas and skies of Europe 
and the South Pacific to risk their lives.
  I have the utmost respect for the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and 
marines of our armed forces who bravely served this nation during World 
War II and welcome the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the members 
of IBEW Local 601 for their valiant efforts in defending freedom and 
democracy, and in building a more peaceful world.
  To commemorate the noble service and sacrifices of IBEW Local 601 
World War II

[[Page 16970]]

Veterans, I would like to read each of their names into the 
Congressional Record.
  IBEW Local 601 World War II Veterans who served in the U.S. Navy:
  Andrew Messmer
  Arlo Deremial
  Earl ``Pete'' Schweighart
  Evan B. Renn
  Fred L. Cline
  Robert F. McNattin
  Glen Wilsky
  Howard McIntosh
  Hugh Bothwell
  Frederick C. Treseler
  Morgan C. Craft
  Richard G. Hensler
  Merle R. ``Bud'' Mingee
  Robert Carley
  Ralph L. Allison
  Ross Brown
  Cecil E. Reynolds
  Al Schaede
  Richard McNattin
  Miles P. ``Olie'' Bland
  Orville L. Bell
  John P. Bothwell
  Lafayette C. Craft
  Russell Reynolds
  IBEW Local 601 World War II Veterans who served in the U.S. Army:
  Brice ``Speedy'' Hartyman
  Clarence Berger
  Dale Terven
  David R. Goodwin
  Floyd H. Ellis
  George Panbacker
  Robert Faullin
  George Bland
  Howard Barham
  Russell E. Wicks
  Glen ``Red'' Eastman
  Nyles R. `` Shorty'' Hardyman
  Wally Lamb
  Harold E. McHenry
  Paul Rubenacker
  IBEW Local 601 World War II Veterans who served in the U.S. Army Air 
Force:
  E. L. ``Al'' Ruthstrom
  Lynn Norris
  Donald E. Wonders
  Harold Schweighart
  Wayne Billhymer
  Leo J. Francis
  John J. Minneci
  IBEW Local 601 World War II Veterans who served in the U.S. Marines:
  Harold Clements
  Richard Henry Hillier, Jr.

  May their noble service and sacrifices be remembered forever. I know 
the House of Representatives will join me in honoring the Veterans of 
IBEW Local 601 for their World War II Heritage Day on July 11, 2009.

                          ____________________