CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E766 HON
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E766 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 6, 2017 seasonal farmworkers by providing training One year later, the band’s bassist, Berry Oak- gave their lives for our country. It was Japan’s and workforce development services. Over the ley also died in a motorcycle accident just a first defeat of WWII. past five decades, CHD has expanded its role few blocks from where Duane lost his life. The victory at Midway was in part due to and now serves not only farmworkers, but also Music was the best release the band mem- American intelligence, US codebreakers. people from many different backgrounds. Their bers found, so they continued performing and These codebreakers were able to decipher the patrons include seniors, addiction recovery pa- recording over the next four decades. Japanese radio code called JN–25b, which tients, immigrants seeking to be part of the Throughout the years, the band dismantled enabled Pacific Fleet Commander and Texan, American Dream, adults living with disabilities, and reformed several times, allowing Gregg to Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, to learn of their and many more. produce a few solo albums and even one with exact plans of attack. Admiral Nimitz gained CHD has seen incredible success during his former wife, Cher. Eventually, the Allman valuable intel leading up to the battle, includ- their past fifty years. Today they serve com- Brothers Band regrouped for the final time in ing the logistics and timing of the attack. As a munity members across thirty-one northern 1989 and continued performing until 2014. result of the Navy codebreakers Admiral Nim- California counties. CHD operates twelve com- As a member of the Allman Brothers Band, itz was able to reconstruct the Japanese plan munity-based farmworker services offices and Gregg Allman was inducted into the Rock & of attack in detail. four Anthony Soto Training Centers, providing Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also in- Like Admiral Nimitz, there were other great jobs and training to their patrons and empow- ducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Texans who helped contribute to the victory at ering them to achieve self-sufficiency. Addi- 2006 and received the Lifetime Achievement Midway. Baytown resident Ronnie Anderson tionally, CHD provides jobs programs, afford- Award at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Those able housing options, immigration and citizen- told me the story of his dad, James Wyatt An- who knew Gregg personally spoke fondly of derson who served during this time. SF3/C ship application services, disability services him, describing him as a jokester and a man and addiction recovery programs. All told, James Anderson was a twelve year Naval vet- with a kind heart. eran of both World War II and the Korean CHD serves over 25,000 people across north- Gregg Allman is survived by his wife, Shan- ern California. War. He served in the United States Navy on non, five children, and three grandchildren. the survey ship, the USS Bowditch. He sur- Mr. Speaker, California Human Develop- Not surprisingly, several of his children have ment creates opportunities for people from all veyed many invasion sites, including the Mar- played music professionally. shall Islands, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Midway walks of life and this year celebrates fifty Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join years and over 500,000 lives changed. There- Island was the only overseas assignment me, my wife Vivian, and the more than where SF3/C James Anderson was able to fore, it is fitting and proper that we honor them 730,000 residents of Georgia’s Second Con- here today. bring his family. Ronnie said, living on Midway gressional District in recognizing Gregg Allman Island, was like living in a kids paradise, espe- f for his remarkable accomplishments as a pio- cially for a 10 year old boy. Much of Ronnie’s IN HONOR OF GREGG ALLMAN neering and world-renowned musician. His time was spent playing war games in the timeless talent and everlasting legacy live on bunkers with the left over mortars and with HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. in the hearts of those who loved him and will anti-aircraft shells. Ronnie has several artifacts continue to be remembered by generations to OF GEORGIA from the Battle of Midway including a 40mm come. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES brass shell and a mortar tube which are great f Tuesday, June 6, 2017 mementos of childhood treasure hunts. Throughout the years, Ronnie passed down Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise BATTLE OF MIDWAY eventful island stories to his children and today to recognize an outstanding artist and grandchildren. Now Ronnie’s 15 year old homegrown legend, the late great Gregg HON. TED POE grandson, Asher Isaacks, has become fas- Allman. Sadly, on Saturday, May 27, 2017, OF TEXAS cinated with the Battle of Midway and hopes Gregg passed away peacefully at his home in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to one day take his grandfather back to the is- Savannah, Georgia. A private funeral was held Tuesday, June 6, 2017 land. Unfortunately, Midway has been closed in his hometown of Macon, Georgia on Satur- to tourism by the U.S. Department of Fish and day, June 3, 2017 and he was laid to rest at Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, after his Wildlife due to budget constraints. It is now a Macon’s Rose Hill Cemetery beside his broth- victory over Pearl Harbor, when asked why he bird sanctuary because of its ecosystem with er and bandmate, Duane Allman, and wasn’t celebrating, Japanese Admiral little to no predators. The island is home to bandmate, Berry Oakley. Yamamoto replied, ‘‘I fear all we have done is Born in the ‘‘Music City’’ of Nashville, Ten- to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a birds, such as the Short-tailed Albatross nessee, Gregg Allman’s connection to music terrible resolve.’’ Admiral Yamamoto was right, ‘‘Gooney Birds’’, Masked Booby, and Great runs deep. Appropriately, it was a concert in and he felt the terrible resolve of this giant on Frigatebird. The history of the island is as Nashville with Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, June 4, 1942 at the Battle of Midway. Midway great as the birds that live there. Midway was B.B. King, and Patti LaBelle that jumpstarted was an important battle in the Pacific theater: claimed for the United States by Captain N.C. Gregg’s passion for music. Though he is best it was the turning point that put the United Brookes in 1859 and formally annexed in known as a keyboardist and singer, he also States in an offensive position to take on the 1867. Originally, the island was meant to be a performed on acoustic guitar, which he Empire of Japan. Those of the Greatest Gen- coal depot; however, this never came to be. In learned to play from a neighbor. He worked as eration proved that when the peace of this na- 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt placed a paperboy to buy his first Silverstone guitar, tion is threatened, our people will stand up the island under the control of the Navy. The which he and his brother often fought to play. and fight, bringing the thunder of God upon island became a link in the Hawaii-Guam seg- Ultimately, it was Duane who became the our enemies. ment of the first transpacific submarine cable. paramount guitar player of the family. Japan’s goal at Midway Island was to de- The name ‘‘Midway’’ comes from the island Gregg and Duane Allman formed a series of stroy and ambush the remainder of our fleet in being half the distance from the U.S. and bands in cities ranging from Los Angeles to hopes of invading Hawaii. In the early morning Japan. Jacksonville to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. on June 4th, Japan launched its attack on As we observe the 75th Anniversary of the Eventually, in Daytona Beach, they formed Midway by bombing the island. This strategy Battle of Midway, it is vital we remember he- what is considered their first ‘‘real’’ band, the proved to be ineffective. In response, the three roes like Admiral Chester Nimitz and James Escorts, which later evolved into the Allman U.S. carriers—Enterprise, Hornet and York- Anderson and give Americans, like Ronnie An- Joys. Then in 1969, the Allman Brothers Band town—launched fighters and bombers against derson, the opportunity to return to Midway Is- officially formed and moved to Macon, Geor- the Japanese fleet and sank all four Japanese land. On Monday, June 5th at 1:30pm, the gia, captivating a generation of music lovers carriers Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu. These United States Navy Memorial in Washington with their distinctive sound. Songs such as four Japanese aircraft carriers were the same D.C. held the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of ‘‘Whipping Post,’’ ‘‘Ramblin’ Man,’’ and ‘‘Mid- carriers that attacked Pearl Harbor six months Midway Commemoration Ceremony. They cre- night Rider’’ helped define what is known as earlier. Over the next two days, the Imperial ated the Naval ‘‘Sea of White’’, wreath laying Southern rock and set the stage for other mu- Japanese Navy suffered the loss of four air- ceremony, and played the live stream from the sicians such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Mar- craft carriers and hundreds of pilots—pilots USS Midway Commemoration Ceremony. The shall Tucker Band. that had bombed Pearl Harbor. Japan’s defeat importance of this epic battle is a part history In October 1971, Gregg’s brother Duane at Midway began America’s drive on toward made by the ‘‘Greatest Generation’’. was killed in a motorcycle accident in Macon.