July 15, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 118 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H5816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING WORLD WAR II VETERAN RANDALL EDWARDS

  (Mr. SPANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Randall Edwards, a 
veteran of World War II, who this month turns 102 years old.
  Edwards enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1935, at 18 years old, and 
served as a first class radioman for the USS Canopus in the 
Philippines. He then joined Allied ground forces, where he and his unit 
were captured and sent to a Japanese prison camp.
  He spent 3 years as a prisoner of war, and despite being forced to 
work 7 days a week in appalling conditions and becoming nearly deaf due 
to abuse, he never allowed his spirit to be broken. In fact, after the 
war, he reenlisted in the Navy and was sent to Japan to serve in the 
U.S. occupying force. Edwards later became a national service officer 
for the American Ex-Prisoners of War organization, helping other 
veterans reintegrate.
  Warrant Officer Edwards survived some of the worst of World War II, 
and he persevered through captivity and returned to bring democracy to 
his captors. Mr. Edwards represents the greatest of our Greatest 
Generation, and on behalf of a grateful nation, I say thank you.

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