Recognizing Garland James' 99th Birthday

Floor Speech

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Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I am here today to recognize the 99th birthday of my constituent, Garland James, on October 3rd, who is turning 99 years young. An active member of the Arizona community, Garland is a veteran, loving husband and father, and business owner whose life is symbolic of the American dream promised to all.

A member of the greatest generation, Garland arrived in Europe in 1944 in our great struggle against fascism. Landing at Normandy and serving through France, Germany, and Central Europe, Garland was a light truck driver, retrieving young Americans who had fallen on the battlefield.

Returning from the war in 1945, Garland met his wife Mary while working as a truck driver across the Eastern part of the U.S. Their new family moved out West, and over the course of the following decades, Garland would find success in the tire industry, opening a series of stores in Arizona and California. In fact, his stores in Apache Junction and Tuba City still stand today, with the Apache Junction store remaining in the family, managed and owned by his son.

Madam Speaker, it is a great honor to represent Garland James, a true patriot and shining example of a good man, father, and citizen. I urge all my colleagues to join me in wishing Garland a very happy 99th birthday, to thank him for his service to this great nation, and to wish him well as we wait for this time next year to share in his 100th birthday celebration.

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