September 16, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 160 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING MR. ED BEARSS

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                       HON. DONALD S. BEYER, JR.

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2020

  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mr. Ed 
Bearss, former chief historian for the National Parks Service from 1981 
to 1994, author, and WWII veteran. Mr. Bearss just celebrated his 98th 
birthday.
  Mr. Bearss served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the invasion of 
Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands. He received the Purple Heart after 
being badly wounded by gunfire at ``Suicide Creek,'' Cape Gloucester.
  Blessed with an impeccable memory, Mr. Bearss returned home to finish 
his education and became a regional historian for the National Parks 
Service in 1955. During his tenure as Chief Historian of the National 
Parks Service, Mr. Bearss helped craft national parks policy for 14 
years.
  After retiring Mr. Bearss continued to advocate for historic 
preservation through tours and lectures. He was an anchor for historic 
programming with the Smithsonian Institute and National Geographic 
Society.
  Please join me in a moment of silence to honor and thank Mr. Bearss 
for the many years of service to his country both at home and abroad.

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