[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14044-14045]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO LEWIS MONROE HUDDLESTON

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I honor Lewis Monroe 
Huddleston on the upcoming occasion of his 80th birthday. Mr. 
Huddleston has spent his life committed in service to his country, his 
church and, foremost, his family.
  Lewis was born September 14, 1930, although this apparently has long 
been a source of discussion in his family. His actual date of birth may 
be September 13. His mother always swore he was born on September 13, 
and that all the legal documents, which list his birthday at September 
14, were wrong. As one should, I think I will side with Lew's mother on 
this one and would like to share with you some of the commendable 
actions of Lew's life.
  He honorably served our country in the military, entering the U.S. 
Navy in 1950. He was assigned to the USS Henry W. Tucker as a boatman's 
mate. His military service took him on reconnaissance missions both in 
Korea and Red China. He received four medals: Good Conduct Medal, 
National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal--2-Star--and 
United Nations Service Medal. Lew was honorably released in 1954, and 
then headed to the Midwest.
  He found work in the oil fields there, and one of his jobs took him 
to Sidney, NE, where he fell head over heels for a lovely young lady, 
Joyce Sewell. They were married on December 20, 1955, and have built a 
happy life together in Sidney where they raised three children, Lewis, 
Jr., Cindy and Shawn, who have given them three wonderful 
grandchildren.
  Lew and Joyce built a life committed to family, service to God and 
service to the community. Throughout his life, Lew has given of 
himself--first in military service, then to his church and his 
community. Always involved, he could be heard cheering for his kids at 
their sporting events or found heading up a DeMolay or Jobs Daughter 
fundraiser. Not ever characterized as shy, Lew walks into a room of 
strangers and leave that room as everyone's best friend. Those friends, 
spread across the country, know that if called upon for help and he 
will always answer.
  Even as he approaches his 80th birthday, Lew remains very much 
involved with his community. Although his children are grown with 
families of their own, Lew continues to volunteer in the local schools 
and wherever he is needed.
  I am honored to number his son Lewis, Jr., and his wife Leslie among

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my friends. Through them, I have come to know Lew Huddleston as a true 
patriot, who exemplified that label not only by his military service, 
but the continued gift he gives every day to family, community and 
country. Lew, it is individuals like you who are America's true heroes 
and give the United States its strength. We can never fully repay your 
contribution. Thank you for your service to our country, and happy 
birthday.

                          ____________________