Ralph Lee Abraham

Madam Speaker, I am concerned about the rhetoric I have continually heard from the other side. I believe that all Members of this body love our country, but some statements from this House are un- American in tone, such as comparing ICE detention centers to concentration camps and the Holocaust. There have been suggestions that terrorist organizations were justified in attacking our great Nation. Members have even used language expressing how ashamed they are of this country.

I am fed up with those continued attacks on the very foundations of this great Nation.

I remind my colleagues that we, as Americans, pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. We must not use rhetoric that leads other nations to question our loyalties.

Madam Speaker, I am not afraid to stand up for freedom, liberty, and justice. I am proud to be an American, and I will defend the values that make this Nation great until the day I die.

Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 9 o'clock and 51 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroism of two Louisianians who served valiantly during World War II: William Henry Ward and Richard Leon Watson.

William, who recently celebrated his 95th birthday, grew up in New Orleans and shipped off to Europe in 1943 to join a heavy bombardment squadron that participated in Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge.

During the Battle of the Bulge, his B-24 Liberator got shot down, took heavy fire, and he was forced into an emergency landing near Brussels. He hitchhiked back to England and, as soon as possible, rejoined the fight.

On January 10, 1945, he completed his 35th mission over Germany and finally telegraphed his mother, Maude Ward, saying, ``Duties completed. Returning home soon.''

Sadly, Richard Watson came home to Morehouse Parish in a more tragic way. He died defending our country while aboard the USS Oklahoma, which sank from a torpedo strike when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He was one of 429 crewmen killed in that attack.

After 77 years, his body was identified and finally sent back home to Louisiana earlier this year.

Mr. Speaker, our World War II veterans truly are America's Greatest Generation. It is because of the courageous acts of soldiers like William Ward and the sacrifices of sailors like Richard Watson that we are the country we are today.

We owe a tremendous debt to our World War II veterans.

I encourage everyone to thank these wonderful people when you see them and let them know that a grateful Nation has not forgotten what they did for us.