Congressional Record—Senate S8405
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June 26, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S8405 kind is unacceptable in our society. to the distinguished career of Frank dedication that is a hallmark of our Likewise, each Congress I have come to Monahan, who will retire in a few days Nation’s Armed Forces, including dur- the floor to highlight a separate hate after 36 years of service to the U.S. ing deployments in support of Oper- crime that has occurred in our coun- Conference of Catholic Bishops. ations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, try. Since 1971, Frank Monahan has Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. On February 7, 2006 in San Diego, CA, worked on many of the great social jus- On July 7, 2005, while assisting an Iraqi James Hardy strangled Raymund tice issues of our day, always taking Public Order Brigade in Central Bagh- Catolico, a gay man, to death in the the side of the vulnerable, the voice- dad as a member of the Special Police victim’s apartment. Allegedly, the two less, and the victims, always standing Transition Team, SFC Jeffrey E. men met at a bus station and went to firm in his belief that here on earth, Mittman was wounded by an impro- Catolico’s apartment to have drinks God’s work must be our own. In the fin- vised explosive device. Since that day and play video games. At some point est Jesuit tradition of his alma mater, Sergeant Mittman has worked to re- Hardy attacked Catolico strangling Loyola University of Chicago, Frank cover from the injuries he sustained. him to death. Following the murder, Monahan is a man who has dedicated I also appreciate this opportunity to Hardy went out for food and brought it himself to serving others. share my best wishes with Sergeant back to the apartment to finish play- Early in his career, he was a Peace Mittman’s wife Christy and children ing his computer game. According to Corps volunteer in Nigeria. He was re- Jamie and Payton. As Sergeant Deputy District Attorney Dan Link, sponding to President Kennedy’s call Mittman works to recover from the Catolico’s sexuality was, ‘‘a substan- to a new generation of Americans to grievous injuries he suffered while tial motivation’’ for the killing. Hardy engage themselves in public service serving his nation in Iraq, I know that is charged with a hate crime and is and to help spread hope and the mes- his children will benefit from the ex- being held without bail. sage of peace and cooperation through- ample of service and dedication that he I believe that the Government’s first out the world. He went on to work in and Christy have set. duty is to defend its citizens, to defend Chicago public schools, helping to im- I ask unanimous consent that a poem them against the harms that come out plement antipoverty programs and im- by Albert Caswell honoring SFC Jef- of hate. The Matthew Shepard Act is a prove school lunch programs so that frey Mittman be printed in the RECORD. symbol that can become substance. I poor and hungry children would be free believe that by passing this legislation to learn, without fear of want. There being no objection, the mate- and changing current law, we can His good nature, strong commitment, rial was ordered to be printed in the change hearts and minds as well. and eternal optimism that we can leave RECORD as follows: f the world better than we found it will THE FACE OF COURAGE be missed by all of us in Congress, but HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES A Beautiful Man, they will not soon be forgotten. Who with The Heart of A Hero now here so SPECIALIST JOSIAH HOLLOPETER It has been my great privilege stands! Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise to through the years—under seven dif- Who within this his short lifetime, has so express my sympathy over the loss of ferent Presidential administrations—to made a difference . so very grand! U.S. Army SPC Josiah Hollopeter of work with Frank on issues of funda- Who with but half a face, Valentine, NE. Specialist Hollopeter mental fairness and justice. When I Who now so in history holds such a place . was killed on June 14 in Al think of him, I am reminded of my One of such honor, one of such sacrifice . Muqdadiyah, Iraq. He was 27 years old. brother Robert F. Kennedy’s words: one of such most magnificent splendid grace! Specialist Hollopeter graduated from Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or As this warrior battles both night and day, Valentine High School in 1998. He acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes To rebuild his life, from which from him has played high school football as a defen- out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny so been taken away! sive end, starting as a senior opposite ripple of hope, and crossing each other from In this his valiant quest, courage’s best, a a million different centers of energy and dar- his brother Tyler, a sophomore at the hero no less . as to our world he’ll ing, those ripples build a current that can time. Tyler would also go on to serve bless, in so many ways! in Iraq as an Army helicopter pilot. sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. Beauty, Before joining the Army, Specialist Beauty, is but skin deep! Hollopeter worked construction jobs in I commend Frank Monahan for the For all of those whom have so made a dif- Omaha and San Diego. He also worked countless ripples of hope he has sent ference, up in Heaven in his arms our for a canoe outfitter along the out in his career. Lord shall keep! Niobrara River for several summers. We will be sad to see him leave, but For we will all grow old some day, Like so many young men and women heart in the fact that this great friend As so surely all of our beauty shall so slip of his generation, the terrorist attacks and ally will continue, in new and dif- away! of September 11 had a profound impact ferent fields, to live out the words of So what then do our lives portray? So how on Specialist Hollopeter and inspired the Gospel of Mathew: can we so find heaven’s way? As in a mirror we gaze! him to serve his country. He enlisted For I was hungry and you gave me food, I with the Army in January 2006. He was thirsty and you gave me drink, a strang- For all that is good, of which God creates er and you welcomed me, naked and you ... served with the 6th Squadron, 9th Cav- For all that is beautiful, so surely comes alry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in pris- on and you visited me. from within hearts as made! Team, 1st Cavalry Division, based at As from where all true beauty so radiates, as Ford Hood, Texas. We are proud of Spe- He has certainly earned his retire- from where so very deep down inside so cialist Hollopeter’s service to our coun- ment. As Frank and his family look emanates! try, as well as the thousands of other forward to meeting the new challenges The Heart, brave Americans serving in Iraq. and opportunities that lay ahead, I am Is from where we so gait, from where all of In addition to his brother, Specialist sure God is looking down on him now our new steps are made . to play our Hollopeter is survived by his parents and saying, ‘‘Well done, my good and part! Ken and Kelly Hollopeter; wife Heath- faithful servant.’’ To rebuild from where none is left, through such pain, heartache and death . as er; and sister Anna Hollopeter. f God’s work of art! I ask my colleagues to join me and THE FACE OF COURAGE As before me I so see the face of God this all Americans in honoring SPC Josiah Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I appre- day! Hollopeter. In this fine hero, with but half a face . f ciate this opportunity to honor the dis- who’s beauty within so surely shows tinguished service of my fellow Hoo- RETIREMENT OF FRANK J. me the way! sier, SFC Jeffrey E. Mittman. All hearts melt this day, upon gazing at MONAHAN Throughout his remarkable career in courage’s face . no more beautiful Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I wel- the U.S. Army, Sergeant Mittman has man our world has so graced! come this opportunity to pay tribute exemplified the professionalism and And we so watch you take each new step . VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:47 Jul 29, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~3\2007NE~2\S26JN7.REC S26JN7 rfrederick on PROD1PC69 with CONG-REC-ONLINE S8406 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 26, 2007 As we stand in awe at what you have met, Erik Ammon, Darwin Barney, Hunter Dr. Nathan Carliner. Dr. Carliner was a with what your most magnificent heart Beaty, Scotty Berke, Reed Brown, well-respected cardiologist who prac- accepts! Brian Budrow, Mitch Canham, Bryn ticed at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs As you so battle through all of your pain and Card, Brett Casey, Jackson Evans, Medical Center and a professor at the heartache, as our world you so bless . until none is left! Kyle Foster, Drew George, Mark University of Maryland School of Medi- Grbavac, Chad Hegdahl Chris Hopkins, cine.