29730 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 21 November 6, 2007 HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES SGT Michael E. Tayaotao, 27, died Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I August 9, from wounds suffered while CA. rise to pay tribute to 35 young Ameri- conducting combat operations in the CPL Bryan J. Scripsick, 22, died Sep- cans who have been killed in Iraq since Al Anbar province of Iraq. Sergeant tember 6, while conducting combat op- July 23, 2007. This brings to 812 the Tayaotao was assigned to 7th Engineer erations in the Al Anbar province of number of soldiers who were either Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logis- Iraq. Corporal Scripsick was assigned from California or based in California tics Group, I Marine Expeditionary to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, that have been killed while serving our Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. He was 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- country in Iraq. This represents 21 per- from Sunnyvale, CA. tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. cent of all U.S. deaths in Iraq. SSG Sean P. Fisher, 29, died August CPL Christopher L. Poole Jr., 22, died Hospitalman Daniel S. Noble, 21, died 14, in Al Taqqadum, Iraq, of injuries September 6, while conducting combat July 24, as a result of enemy action suffered when his helicopter crashed. operations in the Al Anbar province of while conducting security operations Staff Sergeant Fisher was assigned to Iraq. Corporal Poole was assigned to in the Dilaya Province of Iraq. the 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regi- 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Hospitalman Noble was permanently ment, Task Force 49, Fort Wainwright, Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- assigned to 1st Marine Division, Fleet AK. He was from Santee, CA. tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Marine Force Pacific, Camp Pendleton, SGT Matthew L. Tallman, 30, died SPC Marisol Heredia, 19, died on Sep- CA. He was from Whittier, CA. August 22, in Multaka, Iraq, of injuries tember 7, at Brooke Army Medical SSG Joshua P. Mattero, 29, died on suffered when his helicopter crashed. Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX, of inju- July 24, in Baqubah, Iraq, when an im- Sergeant Tallman was assigned to the ries sustained on July 18, in Baghdad, provised explosive device detonated 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Air Cavalry Iraq, from a non-combat related inci- near his patrol. Staff Sergeant Mattero Regiment, Fort Lewis, WA. He was dent. Specialist Heredia was assigned was assigned to the 725th Ordnance from Groveland, CA. to the 15th Brigade Support Battalion, Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion, SSG Jason L. Paton, 25, died August 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX. 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Drum, NY. 22, in Multaka, Iraq, of injuries suf- She was from El Monte, CA. He was from San Diego, CA. fered when his helicopter crashed. Staff CPL Matthew R. Zindars, 21, died CAPT Drew N. Jensen, 27, died Sep- Sergeant Paton was assigned to the 2nd tember 7, in Seattle of wounds suffered July 24, while conducting combat oper- Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd ations in the Diyala province of Iraq. when insurgents attacked his unit Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th using small arms fire during combat Corporal Zandars was assigned to 2nd Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st operations May 7 in Ba’qubah, Iraq. HI. He was from Poway, CA. Captain Jensen was assigned to the 5th Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- CPL Nathan C. Hubbard, 21, died Au- Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. gust 22, in Multaka, Iraq, of injuries Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker SPC Jaime Rodriguez, Jr., 19, died suffered when his helicopter crashed. Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, July 26, in Saqlawiyah, Iraq of wounds Corporal Hubbard was assigned to the WA. He was from Clackamas, CA. sustained when an improvised explo- 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, LCpl Lance M. Clark, 21, died Sep- sive device detonated near his vehicle. 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, tember 7, from a non-hostile incident Specialist Rodriguez was assigned to 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Bar- the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regi- in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. He racks, HI. He was from Clovis, CA. ment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd LCpl Matthew S. Medlicott, 21, died was assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Ma- Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. August 25, from wounds suffered while rine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I He was from Oxnard, CA. conducting combat operations in the Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp CPL Sean A. Stokes, 24, died July 30, Al Anbar province of Iraq. Lance Cor- Pendleton, CA. from wounds suffered while conducting poral Medlicott was assigned to 1st CPL Carlos E. Gilorozco, 23, died Sep- combat operations in the Al Anbar tember 10, while conducting combat op- province of Iraq. Corporal Stokes was Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- erations in the Al Anbar province of assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Iraq. Corporal Gilorozco was assigned Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Ma- tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. LCpl Rogelio A. Ramirez, 21, died Au- to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, rine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pen- 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expedi- dleton, CA. He was from Auburn, CA. gust 26, while conducting combat oper- ations in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. tionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. He SPC Daniel F. Reyes, 24, died July 31, was from San Jose, CA. in Tunis, Iraq, of wounds suffered from Lance Corporal Ramirez was assigned SPC Nicholas P. Olson, 22, died Sep- enemy indirect fire. Specialist Reyes to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, tember 18, in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, of was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- wounds sustained when an improvised 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regi- tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. He explosive device detonated near his ment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, Air- was from Pasadena, CA. unit during combat operations. Spe- borne, 25th Infantry Division, Fort CPL John C. Tanner, 21, died August cialist Olson was assigned to the 2nd Richardson, AK. He was from San 29, while conducting combat operations Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Diego, CA. in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. Cor- LCpl Cristian Vasquez, 20, died Au- poral Tanner was assigned to 3rd As- Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Stryker gust 2, from wounds suffered while con- sault Amphibian Battalion 1st Marine Brigade Combat Team, Fort Lewis, ducting combat operations in the Al Division, I Marine Expeditionary WA. He was from Novato, CA. Anbar province of Iraq. Lance Corporal Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. CPL Anthony K. Bento, 23, died Sep- Vasquez was assigned to 1st Light Ar- SGT Michael J. Yarbrough, 24, died tember 24, in Bayji, Iraq, of injuries mored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st September 6, while conducting combat sustained when his dismounted patrol Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- operations in the Al Anbar province of encountered small arms fire. Corporal tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. He Iraq. Sergeant Yarbrough was assigned Bento was assigned to A Company, 1st was from Coalinga, CA. to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry SGT Jon E. Bonnell Jr., 22, died Au- 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort gust 7, from wounds suffered while con- tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. Bragg, NC. He was from San Diego, CA. ducting combat operations in the Al SSG John C. Stock, 26, died Sep- SGT Robert T. Ayres III, 23, died on Anbar province of Iraq. Sergeant tember 6, while conducting combat op- September 29, in Baghdad, Iraq, of inju- Bonnell was assigned to 1st Battalion, erations in the Al Anbar province of ries sustained when he encountered 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Divi- Iraq. Staff Sergeant Stock was as- small arms fire while on dismounted sion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, signed to 3rd Assault Amphibian Bat- patrol. Sergeant Ayres was assigned to Camp Pendleton, CA. talion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine A Company, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker

VerDate Mar 15 2010 09:58 Aug 23, 2010 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR07\S06NO7.001 S06NO7 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD November 6, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 21 29731 Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Divi- an improvised explosive device deto- House. We welcome the members of sion, Vilseck, Germany. He was from nated near his mounted patrol. Ser- Congress, the members of the Cabinet, Los Angeles, CA. geant Johnson was assigned to the 1st and other distinguished guests. It’s an SPC Avealalo Milo, 23, died October Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, honor to be with the Medal of Freedom 4, in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered 173rd Airborne Brigade, Caserma recipients, as well as their family when insurgents attacked his unit Ederle, Italy. He was from Palmdale, members and friends. We’re sure glad using small arms fire. Specialist Milo CA. you’re here. was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 2nd MSG Patrick D. Magnani, 38, died The Medal of Freedom is the highest Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 2nd September 4, near Bagram, Afghani- civil honor that a President can be- Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Ar- stan, in a non-combat related incident. stow. By an executive order of John F. mored Division, Vilseck, Germany. He Master Sergeant Magnani was assigned Kennedy, the medal is designed to rec- was from Hayward, CA. to the 31st Medical Support Squadron, ognize great contributions to national LCpl Jeremy W. Burris, 22, died Octo- Aviano Air Base, Italy. He was from security, the cause of peace and free- ber 8, while conducting combat oper- Martinez, CA. dom, science, the arts, literature, and ations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. CPL Travis M. Woods, 21, died Sep- many other fields. The eight men and Lance Corporal Burris was assigned to tember 9, from wounds suffered while women came to this distinction by 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st conducting combat operations in the very different paths. Each of them, by Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- Northern Helmand province of Afghani- effort and by character, has earned the tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. stan. Corporal Woods was assigned to respect of the American people, and CPL Gilberto A. Meza, 21, died Octo- 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st holds a unique place in the story of our ber 6, in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sus- Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- time. tained when an improvised explosive tionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA. He The story of an old order, and the device detonated near his unit. Cor- was from Redding, CA. glimmers of humanity that would one poral Meza was assigned to the 3rd PFC Mathew D. Taylor, 21, died Sep- day overtake it, was unforgettably told Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regi- tember 26, in San Antonio of wounds in a book by Miss Harper Lee. Soon ment, Vilseck, Germany. He was from sustained when an improvised explo- after its publication a reviewer said Oxnard, CA. sive device detonated near his vehicle this: ‘‘A hundred pounds of sermons on SPC Frank L. Cady III, 20, died on July 23, in the Sarobi District of Af- tolerance, or an equal measure of in- October 10, in Baghdad, Iraq, when his ghanistan. Private First Class Taylor vective deploring the lack of it, will vehicle overturned. Specialist Cady was assigned to the 1st Battalion, Air- weigh far less in the scale of enlighten- was assigned to B Company, 4th Bri- borne, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd ment than a mere 18 ounces of a new gade Special Troops Battalion, 1st In- Airborne Brigade Combat Team, fiction bearing the title To Kill a fantry Division, Fort Riley, KS. He was Vicenza, Italy. He was from Cameron Mockingbird.’’ from Sacramento, CA. Park, CA. Given her legendary stature as a nov- SPC Vincent A. Madero, 22, died Oc- SSG Joseph F. Curreri, 27, died Octo- elist, you may be surprised to learn tober 17, in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suf- ber 27, in Siet, Lake Jolo Island, Phil- that Harper Lee, early in her career, fered when an improvised explosive de- ippines, from injuries sustained in a was an airline reservation clerk. Fortu- vice detonated near his vehicle. Spe- non-combat related incident. Staff Ser- nately for all of us, she didn’t stick to cialist Madero was assigned to 2nd Bat- geant Curreri was assigned to the 2nd writing itineraries. Her beautiful book, talion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, with its grateful prose and memorable 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Airborne, Fort Lewis, WA. He was from characters, became one of the biggest- Division, Fort Hood, TX. He was from Los Angeles, CA. selling novels of the 20th century. Port Hueneme, CA. f Forty-six years after winning the CPL Erik T. Garoutte, 22, died Octo- Pulitzer Prize, To Kill a Mockingbird ber 19, in Baghdad, Iraq. Corporal COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE still touches and inspires every reader. Garoutte was assigned to 1st Fleet APPROPRIATIONS We’re moved by the story of a man Anti-terrorism Security Team Com- Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, as falsely accused—with old prejudice pany, Marine Corps Security Force chairwoman of the Appropriations Sub- massed against him, and an old sense Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary committee on Commerce, Justice, of honor that rises to his defense. We Force, Norfolk, VA. He was from San- Science, and Related Agencies, I rise learn that courage can be a solitary tee, CA. today to notify the Senate that I spon- business. As the lawyer Atticus Finch SPC Wayne M. Geiger, 23, died Octo- sored an amendment to H.R. 3093, the tells his daughter, ‘‘before I can live ber 18, in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sus- Commerce, Justice, Science, and Re- with other folks I’ve got to live with tained when an improvised explosive lated Agencies Appropriations Act that myself. The one thing that doesn’t device detonated near his vehicle. Spe- provided $3 million in funding for abide by majority rule is a person’s cialist Geiger was assigned to 3rd Teach for America, headquartered in conscience.’’ Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regi- New York, NY, to improve science, Years after To Kill a Mockingbird ment, Vilseck, Germany. He was from technology, engineering, and mathe- was put to film, the character of Lone Pine, CA. matics education. Atticus Finch was voted the greatest SSG David A. Wieger, 28, died No- f movie hero of all time. It won Gregory vember 1, near Balad Air Base, Iraq, of Peck the Oscar. He was said to believe wounds suffered from an improvised ex- PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS the role ‘‘brought him closest to being plosive device. Staff Sergeant Weiger Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask the kind of man he aspired to be.’’ The was a special agent with the Air Force unanimous consent to have printed in great actor counted Harper Lee among Office of Special Investigations and the RECORD an excerpt from the re- his good friends, and we’re so pleased was assigned to Detachment 303, Travis marks by President George W. Bush at that Gregory Peck’s wife, Veronique, is Air Force Base, CA. the Presidential Medal of Freedom with us today. Thank you for coming. I would also like to pay tribute to presentation at the White House on No- One reason To Kill a Mockingbird the five soldiers from California who vember 5, 2007, honoring Harper Lee of succeeded is the wise and kind heart of have died while serving our country in Monroeville, AL. the author, which comes through on Operation Enduring Freedom since There being no objection, the mate- every page. This daughter of Monroe- July 23. rial was ordered to be printed in the ville, Alabama had something to say SGT Travon T. Johnson, 29, died on RECORD. about honor, and tolerance, and, most July 23, in the Sarobi District of Af- Good morning. Laura and I are of all, love—and it still resonates. Last ghanistan of injuries sustained when thrilled to welcome you to the White year Harper Lee received an honorary

VerDate Mar 15 2010 09:58 Aug 23, 2010 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR07\S06NO7.001 S06NO7 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with BOUND RECORD