[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          ANNOUNCING THE PASSING OF ARTHUR ``JIBBY'' JIBILIAN

  (Mr. LATTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. LATTA. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I come to the 
well to announce the passing of Arthur ``Jibby'' Jibilian, a World War 
II hero.
  During World War II, Jibby was a Navy Radio Operator who volunteered 
with the OSS and participated in the largest successful rescue mission 
of 513 downed airmen behind enemy lines in Yugoslavia. Jibby stayed 
behind until the very last airman was rescued on December 27, 1944.
  The heroic efforts of Jibby and his fellow OSS officers and the 
Yugoslav people are told in ``The Forgotten 500''; however, they have 
yet to receive any military or government recognition for their 
actions.
  I introduced H.R. 3496, which honors Jibby with the Medal of Honor. 
He said, ``I am well aware that the Medal of Honor is not bestowed 
lightly. However, let me say that just being nominated is an honor in 
itself. Therefore, I am in a win-win situation.''
  I will continue working on this legislation to honor this exceptional 
American with the recognition he deserves.

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