Volume 167, No. 88, covering the 1st Session of the 117th Congress (2021 – 2022), was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO A. ED MAIRERLE” mentioning Steve Daines was published in the Senate section on page S3190 on May 20.
Of the 100 senators in 117th Congress, 24 percent were women, and 76 percent were men, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Senators’ salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO A. ED MAIRERLE
Mr. DAINES. Mr. President. Today I have the distinct honor of recognizing A. Ed Maierle of Cascade County as Montanan of the Month for his service to our country during World War II. Ed is also celebrating his 100th birthday on June 6, 2021, which is the 77th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in France.
Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy after Pearl Harbor was bombed. He was sent to Hawaii and became an “Avenger,” a member of a torpedo bomber squadron stationed at Pearl Harbor. Ed also manned a 50-caliber machine gun on a PBY, a WWII seaplane. He later was stationed for 2 years as propeller specialist with a B-24 squadron on Esperitu Santo New Heberde Island. As part of this squadron, he flew daily missions, scouting for the dreaded A6M Zero Japanese fighter planes.
After the war, Ed was stationed for 1 year at Whidbey Island, WA, before returning to Montana. For two summers, Ed and his wife, Mary Alice, became the first couple in the United States to man a U.S. Forest Service fire watch lookout tower. Following this adventure, Ed embarked on a very successful career in the insurance business. He and Mary Alice were very active in community service. They both shared a strong faith in the Lord and were recognized for their 24 years of service in the Helena area nursing home ministry.
Ed epitomizes the heart of a veteran–a Montana hero–whose selfless service must not be forgotten. On behalf of a grateful nation, I want to thank Ed for his service to our country, and I wish you a very happy birthday celebration with your family.
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