CELEBRATING CORPORAL JAMES RUSSELL EVANS 100TH BIRTHDAY

On 2026-08-31, Representative Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA-14) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING CORPORAL JAMES RUSSELL EVANS 100TH BIRTHDAY" in the House.

CELEBRATING CORPORAL JAMES RUSSELL EVANS 100TH BIRTHDAY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 137 (Monday, August 31, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 137 (Monday, August 31, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E823] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING CORPORAL JAMES RUSSELL EVANS 100TH BIRTHDAY ______ HON. GUY RESCHENTHALER of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Monday, August 31, 2026 Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Corporal James Russell Evans, one of our last surviving World War II veterans, who turned 100 years old on August 9, 2026. Corporal Evans was born on August 9, 1926, in Plummers Landing, Kentucky, to James Hurst and Lena Maude Evans. At just four years old, Corporal Evans began attending a one-room schoolhouse because he wanted to be with his older sister, Sarah, while helping make it easier for his mother to care for his baby sister, Lena May. After graduating from high school at the age of sixteen, Corporal Evans hoped to enlist in the military and serve his country during World War II, but his parents would not yet consent. When he reached the age of eligibility, he enlisted in the United States Army and became part of the first Allied occupation forces in Japan, ultimately rising to the rank of Corporal. During his service, he traveled throughout Japan and witnessed firsthand the devastation left in the wake of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, experiences he would remember throughout his life. After completing his Army service, Corporal Evans continued his commitment to our Nation by joining the Air Force Reserve. Corporal Evans was the first member of his family to attend college, enrolling at the University of Kentucky on the GI Bill. He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and went on to build a successful career with Westinghouse Electric Corporation. On June 28, 1958, Corporal Evans married the love of his life, Irene Evans. This year, they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary, marking nearly seven decades of marriage and devotion. Together, they raised three children and have been blessed with ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A longtime member of the Freemasons and a devoted Christian, Corporal Evans has remained active in his church and community throughout his life. Together, Jim and Irene have built a lasting legacy rooted in love, faith, family, and service to God and country. At 100 years old, Corporal Evans's life is a testament to the dignity of a life well lived and the enduring impact one person can have through a lifetime of service, devotion, and faith. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Pennsylvania's 14th Congressional District, I am pleased to wish Corporal James Russell Evans a very happy 100th birthday. ____________________