[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF JOHN AND PHYLLIS HILL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH NORMAN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 14, 2021

  Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
service of John Leroy Hill and Phyllis Lynn Stringfield Hill.
  John Leroy Hill was born on December 7, 1953 in Cowpens, South 
Carolina. A true American hero, John joined the U.S. Army in 1970 and 
bravely served our country for two decades. During this time, John 
served two tours in Korea, two tours in Germany, and tours in Fort 
Bragg, Fort Hood, and Fort Ord. He retired as a First Sergeant on 
January 1, 1991.
  John met his wife Phyllis while he was on recruiting duty in Warsaw, 
Indiana. The two were married on January 23, 1991. Known as hometown 
heroes, both John and Phyllis are deeply involved and engaged members 
in their community. John has been the Commander of the Clover Veterans 
of Foreign Wars Post 6732 since 2008. He was also the Commander of the 
Clover American Legion Post 38 until he was relieved by John Mattingly 
earlier this year. Phyliss worked with Crystalen Mattingly to form a 
Ladies Auxiliary for the American Legion Post 38.
  In February of 2019, Phyllis retired and wanted to spend time 
traveling. While on an Alaskan cruise, Phyllis learned that she had a 
malignant mass. After further testing at the Levine Cancer Institute in 
Charlotte, North Carolina, the mass was shown to be cancerous. After 
being diagnosed with an aggressive Stage 4 cancer, Phyllis was informed 
in June of 2020 that she had only three to nine months to live. She 
courageously underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments every day 
for six weeks. Throughout this entire ordeal, Phyllis has remained a 
positive and faithful believer of God's healing powers.
  Despite her devastating prognosis, Phyllis recently received 
remarkable news. On December 2nd, while at a monthly follow-up 
appointment, her doctor informed her that he could no longer see any 
cancer in her CT scans. Her team of doctors were baffled as to how the 
cancer had disappeared. Phyllis told them it was her deep and honest 
belief in God that led her through this.
  On behalf of the 5th District of South Carolina, I thank John and 
Phyllis for their incredible service, and I commend them for their 
unwavering faith in the Lord. These two are an inspiration to us all. 
May God continue to bless them and their family.

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