Floor SpeechNeutral2026-05-29

HONORING JOHN PAUL CHURCH

TaxesForeign PolicyDefenseChinaVeterans

Context

On 2026-05-29, Representative Darren Soto (D-FL-9) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING JOHN PAUL CHURCH" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING JOHN PAUL CHURCH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 91 (Friday, May 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 91 (Friday, May 29, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E496-E497] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING JOHN PAUL CHURCH ______ HON. DARREN SOTO of florida in the house of representatives Friday, May 29, 2026 Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor John Paul Church as distinguished leader in Central Florida for Military Appreciation Month. John Paul Church was born on April 25, 1926, [[Page E497]] in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he lived until retiring to St. Cloud, Florida. Known to family and friends as Paul, he worked at Shenango China in New Castle and later at Dale McClymonds Trucking in nearby Portersville, Pennsylvania, before moving to Florida for retirement. He was also a devoted member of Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Portersville. On October 25, 1947, Paul married Marian Gibson. Together they built a loving family that included their son, Dan; three grandchildren, Gail, Victoria, and Scott; six great-grandchildren, Jessica, Rebecca, Kaden, Asa, Maya, and Jonah; and one great-great-grandchild, Emerson. Paul was a proud World War II Navy veteran who served in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Wilkes-Barre (CL-103) as a Fireman First Class. He was honorably discharged on May 5, 1946. As a plank owner, he was part of the original crew when the USS Wilkes-Barre was commissioned on July 1, 1944. The ship earned four Battle Stars for its service during the Philippines Operation. Iwo Jima Operation, Okinawa Operation, and the final assault against Japan. While anchored in Tokyo Bay, the USS Wilkes-Barre witnessed the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63). During his military service, Paul was awarded the Pacific Theater Ribbon with four stars, the American Theater Ribbon, the Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star. ____________________

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HONORING JOHN PAUL CHURCH Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 91 (Friday, May 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 91 (Friday, May 29, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E496-E497] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING JOHN PAUL CHURCH ______ HON. DARREN SOTO of florida in the house of representatives Friday, May 29, 2026 Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor John Paul Church as distinguished leader in Central Florida for Military Appreciation Month. John Paul Church was born on April 25, 1926, [[Page E497]] in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he lived until retiring to St. Cloud, Florida. Known to family and friends as Paul, he worked at Shenango China in New Castle and later at Dale McClymonds Trucking in nearby Portersville, Pennsylvania, before moving to Florida for retirement. He was also a devoted member of Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Portersville. On October 25, 1947, Paul married Marian Gibson. Together they built a loving family that included their son, Dan; three grandchildren, Gail, Victoria, and Scott; six great-grandchildren, Jessica, Rebecca, Kaden, Asa, Maya, and Jonah; and one great-great-grandchild, Emerson. Paul was a proud World War II Navy veteran who served in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Wilkes-Barre (CL-103) as a Fireman First Class. He was honorably discharged on May 5, 1946. As a plank owner, he was part of the original crew when the USS Wilkes-Barre was commissioned on July 1, 1944. The ship earned four Battle Stars for its service during the Philippines Operation. Iwo Jima Operation, Okinawa Operation, and the final assault against Japan. While anchored in Tokyo Bay, the USS Wilkes-Barre witnessed the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63). During his military service, Paul was awarded the Pacific Theater Ribbon with four stars, the American Theater Ribbon, the Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star. ____________________