The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE 98TH BIRTHDAY OF PAUL WOODS
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HON. BRIAN HIGGINS
of new york
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible life and service of Paul Woods who celebrated his 98th birthday on February 20, 2021. Along with defying the average lifespan and despite segregation, Paul Woods fought for our democracy in the Pacific Theater of World War II. As we celebrate Black History Month, I think there's no better example of American courage than Buffalo's own Paul Woods.
Paul Woods was born in Alabama on February 20, 1923 in an era of racial oppression and segregation. When his father died, he and siblings were split at the gravesite among relatives. Paul Woods promised that he would raise his brother Sherman, and for the rest of his life ``Daddy'' has been taking care of people.
Paul Woods joined the segregated U.S. Army in 1941 when he was just 17 years old. He often says that ``A bullet knows no race, rank, or status. We were all brothers on the battlefield.'' The bravery of Black units overseas belied their second-class status at home and helped lead to the abolition of racial segregation in the military in 1948 as well as the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In 2012, Paul and 30 other World War II vets were flown to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Five years later, Wish of a Lifetime sponsored a trip to Australia where he visited the exact location of his service during World War II and was thanked by the U.S. Consul General. Today he is the World War II Coordinator for the Jesse Clipper American Legion Post 430.
After helping to protect the Philippines, Paul Woods moved to the Buffalo region where he worked 16-hour days at Bethlehem Steel to feed his growing family. From Alabama to Australia, teenage recruit to war hero, and segregated soldier to seeing the first Black president, Paul Woods' life has spanned continents, a world war, and the fight for racial equality. The father of 15 turned 98 on February 20, 2021 having seen multiple children and grandchildren serve in the same military his bravery helped to desegregate.
Madam Speaker, I am thankful for the chance to honor Paul Woods, a longtime Western New York resident who helped free the Philippines despite enduring injustice at home. A proud member of Prince of Peace Church of God in Christ in Buffalo and husband to the late Mary T. Woods, Paul Woods' 6' 4" stature is dwarfed only by his impact on his family, community, and country.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 34
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