[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16505]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING VALIANT SERVICE OF WORLD WAR II MERCHANT MARINERS

  (Mr. BUTTERFIELD asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the passage of H.R. 
2189, a bipartisan bill that will finally recognize the valiant service 
of Merchant Mariners that operated domestically during World War II.
  It has been my honor for the past three Congresses to introduce 
legislation that would recognize these brave Americans and correct an 
injustice that has remained for over 70 years.
  I would like to congratulate a wonderful North Carolinian, Mr. Don 
Horton, who has been the driving force behind my legislative effort for 
the past three Congresses. Tragically, Don's commitment to this 
legislation was due to the loss of his brother, William Lee Horton, 
Jr., on 31 March 1942 as a result of a German U-boat attack on his 
tugboat off the coast of Virginia.
  Many of the Horton family served on these tugboats and barges during 
World War II in support of the war. Don Horton has become the foremost 
expert on this forgotten segment of World War II and has worked 
tirelessly to see mariners like his brother gain the recognition as 
veterans that they rightly deserve and earned through service to their 
country.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, after 70 long years, these mariners have a 
chance to receive the recognition they deserve for their service to our 
country. I implore my colleagues in the Senate to consider this 
legislation as quickly as possible and support its passage.

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