[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6342]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING WALLACE HIGGINS, RECIPIENT OF THE 2014 CONGRESSIONAL GOLD 
                                 MEDAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM REED

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 8, 2015

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a constituent, Mr. 
Wallace Higgins.
  Mr. Higgins was awarded the 2014 Congressional Gold Medal in 
recognition of his service with the Civil Air Patrol during World War 
II.
  Mr. Higgins was born in Kendall, New York in November 1925. From a 
young age, he was intrigued by aviation. Mr. Higgins joined the Civil 
Air Patrol in 1943, during his senior year of high school. Later that 
year, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and was chosen to join the 
Tuskegee Airmen.
  During his two enlistments with the Army Air Force, Mr. Higgins 
achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and earned several commendations 
for his service, including the WWII Victory Medal, Army Good Conduct 
Medal, and New York State Medal for Merit. After receiving his 
honorable discharge, Mr. Higgins settled in Alfred, New York.
  Mr. Higgins has dedicated the past six decades to serving his 
community: he is entering his 50th year with the Alfred Lions Club, he 
is a life member of the Alfred Station Volunteer Fire Department, he is 
a member and former chairman of the Allegany County Office for the 
Aging Advisory Council, and he is a founding member of the Allegany 
Senior Foundation, where he currently serves as President Emeritus.
  Wallace Higgins truly exemplifies the qualities that characterize the 
Congressional Gold Medal. It is my pleasure to present this award to 
Mr. Higgins in recognition of his life-long service to our country and 
our local community.

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