January 29, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 19 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page H704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JEAN FERNANDEZ

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, this past weekend was the 75th 
anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge of World War II in Europe.
  I rise today to honor a great lady, Jean Fernandez, who is a veteran 
of that historic battle and turned 100 very recently.
  Living to be 100 years old is an accomplishment on its own, but 
Jean's story is particularly remarkable.
  Arriving after D-Day and before the Battle of the Bulge, Jean is one 
of the few women veterans who was actually able to serve in that role 
in our Nation during World War II.
  During her time as a nurse at the 179th U.S. Army General Hospital at 
Rouen in northern France, the hospital was constantly under threat of 
air attack, and many of the young men she cared for were severely 
affected by shell shock.
  Had it not been for the My Life, My Story program provided by the VA, 
Jean's story may not have ever been told.
  I had the pleasure of stopping by and spending some time with her at 
her 100th birthday party up in Susanville, and I enjoyed hearing her 
recount her time in the military as well as her extraordinary life.
  What a neat lady. She is an exceptional American, and I am very 
thankful for her service and really honored to have had a chance to get 
to know her and spend time with her.

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