December 6, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 195 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     DECEMBER VETERAN OF THE MONTH

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                            HON. KEVIN HERN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 6, 2019

  Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the 
American heroes who nobly defended our nation, and those who lost their 
lives in the name of that cause, during the surprise attack on Pearl 
Harbor on December 7, 1941.
  With the 78th anniversary of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor 
approaching, I cannot think of a better time to take pause and to 
remember those Americans who courageously jumped into action upon 
seeing enemy airplanes overhead. In what would remain the deadliest 
foreign attack on American soil for 60 years until the devastating 
events of September 11, 2001, 2,335 American servicemen were killed 
that day and an additional 1,143 were wounded. In an effort to cripple 
America's naval might, the Japanese destroyed or damaged 19 United 
States Navy ships, including eight battleships during the attack. In 
spite of their best efforts, the Japanese could not defeat American 
resolve and although our nation was wounded, as the world would later 
learn, the Japanese had simply awoken a sleeping giant.
  As time marches on and we lose more and more members of America's 
Greatest Generation, I am proud to recognize Arles Cole. Quartermaster 
Cole was aboard the USS West Virginia on December 7, 1941, and 
heroically defended his ship and its crew at all costs. Quartermaster 
Cole is one of the few survivors of Pearl Harbor still with us and I am 
proud that he is my constituent in Oklahoma's First Congressional 
District. I am honored to recognize Quartermaster Arles Cole not only 
for his venerable service on December 7th and throughout World War II, 
but also for his continued commitment to his community.
  Every American should take heed of the example set by those brave 
servicemembers who fought and those who died at Pearl Harbor on 
December 7, 1941. In the face of overwhelming odds, they remained 
committed to their mission and to their country even if it meant 
sacrificing their life. I am proud to recognize them today and to 
remember and honor their service and sacrifice everyday as we enjoy the 
freedoms that they so gallantly defended.

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