Honoring Jack K. Norris and the Late Jean Donkers Norris

HONORING JACK K. NORRIS AND THE LATE JEAN DONKERS NORRIS

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to honor an Idahoan who will soon celebrate his 88th birthday, Payette native Jack K. Norris. Jack is a hero, not only for Idaho, but for the entire Nation. Jack was born in Payette, ID, on November 30, 1915, but he has spent much of his life in service to our country. He was a member of the Class of 1939, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and served throughout the world during World War II. His numerous awards include: a Purple Heart, Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and a V for Valor, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantry Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, French Croix de Guerre, Belgian Order of the Crown, Belgian Croix de Guerre, and five European Tour of Duty campaign stars. These many honors speak to his exceptional service to country, and his outstanding military knowledge. This knowledge was cultivated and expanded through years of military courses and training including graduation from the Battalion Commander's Course, Command and General Staff College, British Staff College, Army War College, Army Aviation School-Senior Officers Course, fixed and rotary wing qualification, and Senior Officers Aircraft Maintenance and Logistics course. In his own words, Jack describes his decision to enlist in the Army as: "probably the best thing that ever happened to me."

After many years in the Armed Forces, Jack retired from the service. Unable to slow down, he began teaching at North Georgia College, where he was named Commandant of Cadets in the ROTC program. After leaving North Georgia College, and with an insatiable appetite for learning and accomplishment, Jack decided to study law. He received his license and practiced until 1983. Jack did all of these things while caring for the most important individuals in his life: his wife and three children. His tree sons have all made service to country a part of their lives, presumably as a result of their father's influence.

I also want to pay tribute to Jack's wife, Jean Donkers Norris, who passed away in 1983. Much of their lives together revolved around the military. She met her sweetheart at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and married him at the Main Post Chapel in San Antonio, TX. Jean kept the home fires burning while Jack was away at war. She was the model military wife and moved frequently to accommodate Jack's career, and that required many sacrifices on her part. She was always ready to serve-whether it be a meal to a visiting officer or thirty, or to support other military spouses. I wanted to relate a couple of stories about Jean. Once she had to shovel coal for heat in the family's temporary quarters, and commented that she was grateful white gloves were in fashion so she could hide the coal stains on her hands when she had to go out.

When Jack was a post commander, he and Jean visited every soldier who was in the hospital or in jail on Christmas Day and brought them some of her homemade cookies. She was known for her compassion and dedication to her own family as well as the U.S. Army family.

Jack and Jean had a true partnership and were exceptional role models for their children and their daughters-in-law. In today's world, as we again see the necessity of American troops deployed and in action, people like Jack and Jean bring home to us the importance of dedication to family and country. Even during trying, testing times Jack and Jean showed their commitment to a cause and their commitment to each other. Their exceptional example is worthy of praise. I am profoundly grateful for their service to our country. I send Jack all of my best for a very Happy Birthday.