[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2908]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE MEMORY OF WILLIAM EVANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERRY McNERNEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 5, 2012

  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my friends and colleagues to 
join me in honoring William Evans, who passed away on February 25, 2012 
at the age of 75.
  Public service was an important part of Bill's life. He served in the 
U.S. Air Force as a navigator in B-47s and C-141s. In his service with 
Strategic Air Command, he stood guard against the Soviet threat so his 
fellow Americans could be secure. When assigned to the Military Airlift 
Command, he flew regular missions into Vietnam, delivering the supplies 
necessary to support our troops and bringing home those who had fallen. 
Bill was a graduate of the Air War College, received recognition for 
his contributions to the Skylab project, and was awarded the Air Force 
Meritorious Service Medal.
  In his civilian career, Bill continued his work safeguarding America 
by bringing his technical expertise to the guidance of our 
reconnaissance satellites and interpreting the data they sent back. 
After retirement, Bill served as a volunteer English teacher in Poland 
and was a Eucharistic minister for his church. He even learned to be a 
brakeman as a volunteer with the Niles Canyon Railway.
  Bill was an active member of the Tri-Valley community who cared 
deeply about his fellow citizens. He served his community and his 
fellow veterans as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6298 
in Pleasanton, California.
  Bill was also a highly valued and respected member of my Air Force 
Academy nomination committee. Bill took a keen interest in helping 
patriotic young people succeed in their aspirations to serve our 
nation. Bill was an excellent judge of character, and because of his 
efforts, the 11th District of California produced more than its share 
of Air Force Academy cadets.
  Bill had a tremendous intellect and exemplary character. He was a 
gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He will be dearly missed by 
his friends and by the members our community. I ask you to join me in 
honoring his life and his service to our great nation.

                          ____________________