S9426 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 2005 just in securing women’s right to vote. committee, Judy served as my national hero. He was my hero.’’ I stand here By winning for women the power of the security adviser for 5 years, and her today to express the same feelings of ballot, they moved countless others to keen judgment and incisiveness were pride and gratitude for this young Hoo- strengthen women’s voice in charting readily apparent throughout her work. sier’s sacrifices and those made by his the course of the nation. By asserting Truly, while I am pleased that the ad- family on behalf of our country. women’s equality in the mechanism ministration will be gaining such a re- Adam was killed while serving his that sustains our democracy, they markable asset, I will miss Judy’s country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. helped future generations fight for counsel and extraordinary nature. I He was a member of the 3rd Battalion, equality in all aspects of American life. send my deepest gratitude to Judy as 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade By opening the voting booths, they she begins her transition to the Na- Combat Team, 42nd Infantry Division, spurred on the work to open our insti- tional Security Council, and I join with Fort Stewart, GA. This brave young tutions of higher education, our ath- her wonderful family, husband Steve soldier leaves behind his father and letic fields, and our boardrooms. And and daughters Rachel and Megan, in step-mother, Jim and Brenda Harting; by having persisted in their convic- celebrating this achievement. his mother, Katherine Brown; and his tions, they inspire young women today, Mr. President, I also take this oppor- seven siblings, Alex, 21, Mark, 20, Josh, like Hannah Low and Destiny Carroll tunity to announce Judy’s successor as 15, Jimmy, 14, Tiffany, 22, Tabitha, 20, of Henderson, Nevada, to continue the staff director for the Armed Services and Hanna, 8. effort to ensure that their triumphs Committee. I have asked Mr. Charles S. Today, I join Adam’s family and will not be forgotten. Abell, the Principal Deputy Under Sec- friends in mourning his death. While On behalf of Hannah and Destiny, as retary of Defense for Personnel and we struggle to bear our sorrow over well as my friend Congresswoman Readiness, to become the new staff di- this loss, we can also take pride in the BERKLEY, each person a credit to Ne- rector, and it gives me great pleasure example he set, bravely fighting to vada, I am pleased to support the pas- to note that he has accepted this re- make the world a safer place. It is his sage of this resolution. sponsibility. courage and strength of character that f A humble and devoted patriot, Char- people will remember when they think lie Abell has served his country with of Adam, a memory that will burn COMMENDING JUDY ANSLEY valor in every endeavor. Before joining brightly during these continuing days Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise the administration, Charlie was an ex- of conflict and grief. today to commend an outstanding pub- ceptional member of the Armed Serv- Adam was known for his dedication lic servant, Judy Ansley, who for many ices Committee professional staff. Dur- to his family and his love of country. years has worked as diligently and as ing his years with the committee staff, Today and always, Adam will be re- ably as anyone with whom I have had Charlie was the lead staffer for the membered by family members, friends the privilege of serving during my Subcommittee on Personnel, including and fellow Hoosiers as a true American years in the Senate. issues of military readiness and quality hero, and we honor the sacrifice he When I was vice chairman of the Sen- of life. A highly decorated soldier, he made while dutifully serving his coun- ate Intelligence Committee, I selected retired from the Army as a lieutenant try. ’ Judy Ansley to serve as the first colone1 after 26 years of distinguished As I search for words to do justice in woman minority staff director. Today, service, and he brought a profound in- honoring Adam’s sacrifice, I am re- Judy is the first woman staff director sight to his duties with the committee. minded of President Lincoln’s remarks of the Senate Armed Services Com- I was privileged to work with this out- as he addressed the families of the fall- mittee which I chair. standing individual during his previous en soldiers in Gettysburg: ‘‘We cannot How proud I am; how proud the Sen- term with the committee, and I look dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we ate is that Judy has been selected to be forward to collaborating with him in cannot hallow this ground. The brave the Special Assistant to the President the months ahead. men, living and dead, who struggled and Senior Director for European Af- f here, have consecrated it, far above our fairs at the National Security Council. poor power to add or detract. The HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES The administration could not have world will little note nor long remem- made a better choice for this important SPC ADAM JAMES HARTING ber what we say here, but it can never post, and I am confident that Judy will Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise forget what they did here.’’ This state- serve her country with dignity and today with a heavy heart and deep ment is just as true today as it was honor, as she has done throughout her sense of gratitude to honor the life of a nearly 150 years ago, as I am certain extensive career in public service. brave soldier from Portage. Adam that the impact of Adam’s actions will My only regret is that Judy Ansley Harting, 21 years old, died on July 25 in live on far longer than any record of will be leaving the Armed Services Samarra when an improvised explosive these words. Committee after next week to move to device detonated near his Bradley It is my sad duty to enter the name the White House. Over the course of Fighting Vehicle. With so much of his of SPC Adam James Harting in the of- the last 6 years, Judy has dedicated her life left before him, Adam risked every- ficial record of the United States Sen- time, energy, and intelligence to the thing to fight for the values Americans ate for his service to this country and work of the committee with great en- hold close to our hearts, in a land half- for his profound commitment to free- thusiasm. As the deputy staff director way around the world. dom, democracy and peace. When I and staff director, Judy has provided Only 19 years old when he arrived in think about this just cause in which we excellent leadership to the committee Kuwait to begin his service in Oper- are engaged, and the unfortunate pain during challenging times, and I am ation Iraqi Freedom, Adam was fea- that comes with the loss of our heroes, deeply thankful for her profound con- tured in Time Magazine in 2003 as one I hope that families like Adam’s can cern for the issues facing the men and of the youngest soldiers stationed over- find comfort in the words of the proph- women of our armed services. I am sure seas. A graduate of Portage High et Isaiah who said, ‘‘He will swallow up that my colleagues on the committee School, Adam had always dreamed of death in victory; and the Lord God will would agree that she has been an indis- joining the military and was active in wipe away tears from off all faces. pensable resource for our efforts. In the ROTC program throughout his high May God grant strength and peace to those instances where she had profes- school years. Adam and his twin broth- those who mourn, and may God be with sional views in opposition to mine, she er, Alex, both promised their father all of you, as I know He is with Adam. has never hesitated to express them. I when they were young that they would f trust that she will most respectfully do enter the military, and both lived up to the same for the President. that promise, with Adam serving in the TRIBUTE TO SOLDIERS As the chairman of the Armed Serv- Army and Alex in the Air Force. Their Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I ices Committee, I have had the oppor- father, Jim Harting, recounted his rise to pay tribute to 32 young Ameri- tunity to observe closely Judy’s inde- pride in Adam’s service and character cans who have been killed in Iraq since fatigable efforts. Before she joined the to a local newspaper, saying, ‘‘He was a April 23. This brings to 434 the number

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:48 Jan 30, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2005SENATE\S29JY5.REC S29JY5 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 29, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9427 of soldiers who were either from Cali- alry Regiment, Fort Carson, CO. He enemy forces in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on fornia or based in California who have was from Temecula, CA. February 22. At the time of his injury, been killed while serving our country LCPL John T. Schmidt III, age 21, he was assigned to 5th Battalion, 11th in Iraq. This represents 24 percent of died May 11 from wounds received as a Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, all U.S. deaths in Iraq. result of an explosion while conducting Camp Pendleton, CA. He was from SGT Anthony J. Davis, age 22, died combat operations against enemy Santa Ana, CA. April 23 in Mosul when a vehicle-borne forces in Al Anbar Province on Janu- LCPL Daniel Chavez, age 20, died improvised explosive device detonated ary 30. He was assigned to 3rd Bat- June 9 as a result of explosion while near his Stryker military vehicle. He talion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Ma- conducting combat operations with the was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th rine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC. Dur- 2nd Marine Division in Haqlaniyah, Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th ing Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Tank Bat- Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, WA. He was attached to the 1st Marine Divi- talion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pen- was from Long Beach, CA. sion, Camp Pendleton, CA. dleton, CA. CPL Kevin W. Prince, age 22, died SGT John M. Smith, age 22, died May LCpl Jonathan R. Flores, age 18, died April 23 in Baghdad of injuries sus- 12 in Iskandariyah, Iraq from injuries June 15 when his vehicle hit an impro- tained when an improvised explosive sustained when an improvised explo- vised explosive device while conducting device detonated near his humvee. He sive device detonated near his vehicle. combat operations near Ar Ramadi, was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th He was assigned to the Army’s 2nd Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regi- 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Divi- Irwin, CA. ment, Fort Irwin, CA. sion, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Op- SGT Timothy C. Kiser, age 37, died SFC Randy D. Collins, age 36, died eration Iraqi Freedom, his unit was op- April 28 in Riyhad, Iraq when an impro- May 24 at the National Naval Medical erating with the 2nd Infantry Division vised explosive device detonated near Center in Bethesda, Maryland of inju- of the U.S. Army, which was attached his patrol. He was assigned to the ries sustained in Mosul on May 4 dur- to 2nd Marine Division. Army National Guard’s 340th Forward ing a mortar attack. He was assigned LCpl Jesse Jaime, age 22, died June Support Battalion, 40th Infantry Divi- to the Army’s 11th Armored Cavalry 15 when his vehicle hit an improvised sion, Red Bluff, CA. He was from Regiment, Fort Irwin, CA. He was from explosive device while conducting com- Tehama, CA. Long Beach, CA. bat operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq. CPT Stephen W. Frank, age 29, died MAJ Ricardo A. Crocker, age 39, died He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, April 29 in Diyarah, Iraq when a vehi- May 26 from a rocket propelled grenade 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Divi- cle-borne improvised explosive device explosion while conducting combat op- sion, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Op- detonated as he was conducting a traf- erations in Hadithah, Iraq. He was as- eration Iraqi Freedom, his unit was op- fic control point inspection. He was as- signed to the Marine Corps Reserve’s erating with the 2nd Infantry Division signed to 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored 3rd Civil Affairs Group, Camp Lejeune, of the U.S. Army, which was attached Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, CA. NC. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, to 2nd Marine Division. LCpl Tyler S. Trovillion, age 23, died CPT Ralph J. Harting III, age 28, died his unit was attached to II Marine Ex- June 15 when his vehicle hit an impro- April 29 in Diyarah, Iraq when a vehi- peditionary Force. He was from Mis- vised explosive device while conducting cle-borne improvised explosive device sion Viejo, CA. combat operations near Ar Ramadi, detonated as he was conducting a traf- SGT Mark A. Maida, age 22, died May Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, fic control point inspection. He was as- 27 in Baghdad of injuries sustained in 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Divi- signed to 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Diyarah, Iraq on May 26 when an im- sion, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Op- Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, CA. provised explosive device detonated eration Iraqi Freedom, his unit was op- SSG Juan De Dios Garcia-Arana, age near his humvee. He was assigned to erating with the 2nd Infantry Division 27, died April 30 in Khaladiyah, Iraq the Army’s 2nd Squadron, 11th Ar- of the U.S. Army, which was attached when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was mored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, to 2nd Marine Division. attacked by enemy forces using small CA. LCpl Dion M. Whitley, age 21, died arms fire. He was assigned to the 5th 1st Sgt Michael S. Barnhill, age 39, June 15 when his vehicle hit an impro- Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery died May 28 after his vehicle stuck an vised explosive device while conducting Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp improvised explosive device near combat operations near Ar Ramadi, Hovey, Korea. He was from Los Ange- Haqlaniyah, Iraq. He was assigned to Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, les, CA. the Marine Corps Reserve’s 6th Engi- 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Divi- MAJ John C. Spahr, age 42, died May neer Support Battalion, 4th Force sion, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Op- 2 from injuries received when the F/A– Service Support Group, Eugene, OR. eration Iraqi Freedom, his unit was op- 18 Hornet aircraft he was piloting ap- During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his erating with the 2nd Infantry Division parently crashed in Iraq. He was as- unit was attached to II Marine Expedi- of the U.S. Army, which was attached signed to Marine Fighter Attack tionary Force. He was from Folsom, to 2nd Marine Division. He was from Squadron 323, Marine Aircraft Group CA. Los Angeles, CA. 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine CPL Jeffrey B. Starr, age 22, died LCpl Chad B. Maynard, age 19, died Corps Air Station Miramar, CA. His May 30 from small-arms fire while con- June 15 when his vehicle hit an impro- unit was embarked aboard the U.S.S. ducting combat operations against vised explosive device while conducting Carl Vinson. enemy forces near Ar Ramadi, Iraq. He combat operations near Ar Ramadi, CPT Kelly C. Hinz, age 30, died May was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Ma- Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2 from injuries received when the F/A– rine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Divi- 18 Hornet aircraft he was piloting Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation sion, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Op- crashed in Iraq while flying in support Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached eration Iraqi Freedom, his unit was op- of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was as- to II Marine Expeditionary Force. erating with the 2nd Infantry Division signed to Marine Fighter Attack CPT Derek Argel, age 28, died May 30 of the U.S. Army, which was attached Squadron 323, Marine Aircraft Group in the crash of an Iraqi air force air- to 2nd Marine Division. 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine craft during a training mission in east- Petty Officer 2nd Class Cesar O. Baez, Corps Air Station Miramar, CA. His ern Diyala province. He was assigned age 37, died June 15 as a result of unit was embarked aboard the U.S.S. to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, enemy small arms fire while con- Carl Vinson. Hurlburt Field, FL. He was from ducting combat operations in al-Anbar SGT Stephen P. Saxton, age 24, died Lompoc, CA. Province. He was a Hospital Corpsman May 3 in Baghdad when his unit was CPL Antonio Mendoza, age 21, died assigned to 2nd Marine Division, II Ma- conducting a route security mission June 3 at Brook Army Medical Center, rine Expeditionary Force. He was from and an improvised explosive device det- San Antonio, TX from wounds received Pomona, CA. onated near his humvee. He was as- as a result of an explosion while con- LCpl Erik R. Heldt, age 26, died June signed to the Army’s 3rd Armored Cav- ducting combat operations against 16 when his vehicle hit an improvised

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:48 Jan 30, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00105 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2005SENATE\S29JY5.REC S29JY5 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9428 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 29, 2005 explosive device while conducting com- he came under small arms fire while on his country, and that selflessness con- bat operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq. patrol. He was assigned to the Army’s tinues after his death. He asked his He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group mother a few months ago that, if he Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC. He was died, donations be made to his former Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation from Stockton, CA. school system in lieu of flowers. He was Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached MAJ Duane W. Dively, age 43, died concerned about his younger brother, to 2nd Marine Division. June 22 in Southwest Asia in the crash Sean, who is a special needs student, CPT John W. Maloney, age 36, died of a U–2 aircraft. He had completed fly- and the students in the art depart- June 16 when his vehicle hit an impro- ing a mission and was returning to his ment, who do not have up-to-date soft- vised explosive device while conducting base when the crash occurred. He was ware. combat operations near Ar Ramadi, assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance People like Christopher Hoskins Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, CA. make it possible for us to live each and 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Divi- He was from Rancho California, CA. every day in freedom, peace, and secu- sion, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Op- LCDR Erik S. Kristensen, age 33, was rity. Their sacrifices, in lands thou- eration Iraqi Freedom, his unit was at- killed while conducting combat oper- sands of miles away, keep us safe here tached to 2nd Marine Division. ations when the MH–47 helicopter that at home. We must never forget those SGT Arnold Duplantier II, age 26, he was aboard crashed in the Kumar sacrifices. died June 22 in Baghdad where he was province of Afghanistan on June 28. He So today I salute the courage and providing cordon security, and was at- was assigned to SEAL Team Ten, Vir- commitment of Christopher Hoskins, a tacked by enemy forces using small ginia Beach, VA. He was from San young man who lost his life fulfilling arms fire. He was assigned to the Army Diego, CA. the noblest of callings, defending our National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 184th Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Nation and the values we hold dear. Infantry Regiment, Auburn, CA. He Axelson, age 29, died while conducting And I offer my heartfelt sympathies to was from Sacramento, CA counter-terrorism operations in Kunar his parents, Richard and Claudia, his PFC Veashna Muy, age 20, died June province, Afghanistan. Coalition forces siblings, Kristin, Erin, and Sean, and 23 while traveling in a convoy that was located him while conducting a combat to everyone who knew and loved him. attacked by a suicide, vehicle-borne, search and rescue operation July 10. He STEVE REICH improvised explosive device in was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today Fallujah. He was assigned to the 8th Team One, Pearl Harbor, HI. He was to speak in tribute of U.S. Army MAJ Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, from Cupertino, CA. Steve Reich, of Washington, CT, who Camp Lejeune, NC. He was from Los Thirty soldiers who were either from lost his life on duty in Afghanistan on Angeles, CA. California or based in California have Petty Officer 1st Class Regina R. been killed while serving our country June 28, 2005. He was 34 years old. Clark, age 43, died June 23 in a convoy in Operation Enduring Freedom. I pray Major Reich, a member of the 160th that was attacked by a vehicle-borne for these Americans and their families. Special Operations Aviation Regiment known as ‘‘The Nightstalkers,’’ was improvised explosive device in CHRISTOPHER HOSKINS killed along with 15 other soldiers in a Fallujah. She was a culinary specialist Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise to helicopter crash in the eastern moun- deployed with Naval Construction speak in honor of U.S. Army SPC Regiment Detachment 30, Port Hue- Christopher Hoskins, of Danielson, CT, tains of Afghanistan. His service to his neme, CA and was temporarily as- who was killed in Iraq on June 21, 2005. country will not be forgotten. Steve was respected in his small signed to II Marine Expeditionary He was 21 years old. Force. Specialist Hoskins was killed along home town both for his abilities on the LCpl Carlos Pineda, age 23, died June with another soldier when his unit baseball diamond and for his caring 24 as a result of wounds sustained from came under small-arms fire in Ramadi, personality. enemy small-arms fire while con- Iraq. He was a star pitcher before entering ducting combat operations in Fallujah. Growing up, Christopher was known the military. With the rare combina- He was assigned to the 8th Marine as quiet, passionate, and full of energy. tion of a blazing fastball and uncanny Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Camp He competed on the wrestling team at control, Steve was an All-Star at every Lejeune, NC. He was from Los Angeles, Killingly High School and was inter- level. He pitched in two championship CA. ested in graphic arts. He carried a games for Shepaug Valley High School SSG Jorge L. Pena-Romero, age 29, sketchbook with him in Iraq. before moving on to West Point. In his died July 16 in Baghdad when an im- Christopher enlisted in the Army debut against the Naval Academy, he provised explosive device detonated simply because he thought it was the pitched a one-hitter. near his Humvee while his unit was right thing to do. He was proud to be a He was a member of the U.S. Na- conducting a mounted patrol. He was soldier. In Iraq he drove Bradley fight- tional baseball team in 1993 and played assigned to the 1st Squadron, 11th Ar- ing vehicles and humvees. for it in Italy, Nicaragua, and Cuba. He mored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, He served with valor and humanity. was rightly very proud of having car- CA. He was from Fallbrook, CA. He often said that the Iraqi people are ried the American flag for the team in Four hundred thirty-four soldiers just like us. They have many of the the World University Games. He later who were either from California or same basic needs—food, water, cloth- signed with the Baltimore Orioles farm based in California have been killed ing, and shelter. And he knew that he system and pitched two games before while serving our country in Iraq. I had extra and that they are wanting. It being recalled to active duty. pray for these young Americans and would have been easier for him, serving Major Reich was as accomplished in their families. in a dangerous region, to shut himself the military as he was on the baseball I would also like to pay tribute to off from the populace, but he didn’t. He field. He learned to pilot three models the five soldiers from or based in Cali- often shared his extra non-military of Army helicopter and became a com- fornia who have died while serving our supplies with Iraqi civilians. pany commander in his regiment. He country in Operation Enduring Free- Christopher also formed a special was serving his fourth tour of duty dom since April 26. bond with those in his unit. Even dur- after having already been stationed in SFC Allen C. Johnson, age 31, died ing the short amount of time that he Korea, Hungary, Bosnia, and Albania. April 26 in Khanaqin, Afghanistan, of was able to come back home to Con- He was known in his unit for his will- injuries sustained when enemy forces necticut, he would swap pictures over ingness to serve by example and his using small arms fire attacked his pa- the Internet with those in his unit who composure, something that, no doubt, trol. He was assigned to the 1st Bat- were still in Iraq. He sent them care made him a great leader and kept those talion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort packages of magazines and junk food. who served with him safer. Bragg, NC. He was from Los Molinos, He had recently signed up for a second Despite the fact that he was a hero to CA. tour. those in his hometown, Steve was mod- SFC Victor H. Cervantes, age 27, died Christopher’s life was defined by un- est. He had won a bronze star for serv- June 10 in Orgun-e, Afghanistan, when selfish service to his community and ice, but he never told his family what

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:48 Jan 30, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00106 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2005SENATE\S29JY5.REC S29JY5 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 29, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9429 heroic acts he performed to deserve the here today. Earlier in this week I along with a K-Bar, and on that K-Bar is inscribed the award. He went out of his way to show General Brown and many others have been name of a SEAL who went before him, where his appreciation for the warm wel- attending memorial services for our United he died, and the date he died on. So that States Army Special Operations Aviation knife would always link him to the past and comes that he received from his com- Regiment, the 160th, located at Fort Camp- serve as an inspiration to him as a SEAL in munity on the rare occasions that he bell, Kentucky, and Hunter Army Air Field, combat in the future. These ten knives that was able to return home. On Christ- where as you all know we lost eight brave we have up here are now etched with your mas, he and his sisters would deliver Special Operations Aviators. husbands, your son, your brother, your fa- treats to say thanks to his friends and This morning we pause to honor the mem- ther, your uncle, your nephew, your neigh- neighbors. ory of ten Navy SEALS, in particular the six bor, your friend, and to us our Teammates Countless members of his community SEALS who were home ported here at the names. You can take these home with you Naval Amphibious Base in Little Creek. I’d said that they admired Steve’s selfless- today, and I hope that you treasure them, also like to extend a welcome to those who but what I want you to know is that in the ness and that they felt safer knowing can’t be with us physically in this theater future when fellow SEALs become SEALS that he was watching out for them. right now. The theater holds 1800 people and and they are presented with their K-Bars, His friends and family took great joy we filled that up earlier this morning. And the name of these men will be engraved to in the fact that he met and married for those of you in the overflow where we serve as an inspiration to future SEALs in Jill Blue during the past year. It have nearly 2000 people seated, I welcome combat, our teammates. warmed the hearts of those around him you this morning and I apologize that we did And I want to leave you with this. We have that he found someone to marry be- not have space for everybody to be in here a creed, we have many things in Naval Spe- physically. But I know, spiritually, that cial Warfare, but to sum it up, it is loyalty cause he had always had so little time you’re with us and we sincerely appreciate to our teammates dead or alive. These ten for a personal life. They said that his you being part of the ceremony this morn- men are no longer with us, that doesn’t mean wedding day in March was the happiest ing. that our allegiance and our covenant ends day of his life. My heart truly goes out My remarks will be short. I think it’s im- with them today. We will remain their team- to Jill, who has suffered the kind of portant that you hear from the friends and mates forever and to the family members loss that is difficult for most of us to loved ones, and also Commodore Pete Van sitting here, always know that we will al- comprehend. Hooser has got some very important things ways be there from them, always there for to say. you and, we will always stay connected. God And I offer my deepest sympathies to But what I would like to say as the Com- bless and thank you. his parents, Ray and Sue, and his sis- mander for Naval Special Warfare and the I’d like to go into the awards presentation ters, AnnMarie and Megan, whose loss head of this community, how proud I am to now and I ask all of the guests and military is too great for words. be the Commander for Naval Special Warfare to remain seated as we make the presen- f and have the opportunity to lead and serve tations so that all can see. with these ten fine men. Naval Special War- The Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal TRIBUTE TO NAVY SEALS fare is the smallest war fighting community with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Combat Ac- Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise in the Navy. There’s 1750 enlisted men and tion Ribbon and Afghanistan Campaign six 600 officers. We’re a small town, we lit- Medal will be presented posthumously for today to recognize and pay tribute to the actions in the following citation below. the 10 courageous sailors who lost their erally know each other, and honestly, for those of you it may be hard to believe if you On Tuesday 28 June 2005, thirty members lives in Afghanistan during Operation see the way we act with each other, we love of Naval Special Warfare Task Unit-Afghani- Enduring Freedom on 28 June 2005 by one another. stan were preparing to conduct a direct ac- printing the eloquent words of U.S. Everything that you see here and every- tion mission when they were tasked to re- Navy RADM Joseph Maguire, Com- thing this morning was put together by their spond as a Quick Reaction Force to reinforce Teammates. I’d like to call your attention to a four-man Navy SEAL reconnaissance ele- mander, Naval Special Warfare Com- ment engaged in a fierce firefight near mand, during a memorial speech at the operational equipment that we have for- ward here on stage. It traces its proud herit- Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek on The reconnaissance element was bravely age back to World War II. The Underwater fighting Anti-Coalition Militia, who held July 8, 2005. Demolition Teams and the Navy Combat both a numerical and positional advantage. I ask unanimous consent to print Demolition Units and you’d have to go all The ensuing firefight resulted in numerous this tribute in the RECORD. the way back to World War II to get the enemy personnel killed, with several of the There being no objection, the mate- number of Naval Special Warriors who died SEALs suffering casualties. rial was ordered to be printed in the in one day in one military operation. The After receiving the task to reinforce, the RECORD, as follows: loss of one SEAL, the loss of one military Quick Reaction Force loaded aboard two man is more than we could possibly bear, but (By Rear Admiral Joseph Maguire) MH–47 U.S. Special Operations Army heli- to have ten or our brave men perish in one copters planning to air assault onto a hostile Good Morning. On behalf of the Com- day along with eight of our Nightstalkers is battlefield, ready to engage and destroy the mander, United States Special Operations truly a remarkable day and one that will al- enemy in order to protect the lives of their Command, General Doug Brown, the United ways be etched in our memory. fellow SEALs. Demonstrating exceptional States Navy, the proud men and women of But before you though you have UDT swim resolve and fully comprehending the rami- Naval Special Warfare, I’d like to welcome fins, a UDT lifejacket, a web belt and a fications of the mission, the Quick Reaction everybody to this morning’s memorial serv- mask. And it may seem strange to you Force, while airborne, continued to refine ice for our ten fallen Sailors. knowing that these Naval commandos died the plan of attack to support both the rein- We’re honored to have with us today the on a mountain top 7,500 feet in elevation in forcement task and hasty execution of their leaders of our nation and our Navy. We are a country 300 miles from the sea. But our na- intended deliberate assault. joined this morning in grief. The chairman of tion called. These are the same people that As the helicopter approached the nearly in- the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen- flew the planes into the Twin Towers that accessible mountainside and hovered in prep- ator John Warner, Congresswoman Thelma flew the plane into the Pentagon that also aration for a daring fast-rope insertion of the Drake, our local Congresswoman, Ambas- flew the plane into the ground in Pennsyl- SEALs, the aircraft was struck by an enemy sador Joseph Prurer and Mrs. Prurer, Under- vania. The Al Qaeda and the Taliban are rocket-propelled grenade fired by Anti-Coali- secretary of the Navy Aviles, the Vice Chief barely distinguishable and these are the peo- tion Militiaman. The resulting explosion and of Naval Operations, Admiral Willard and ple that these brave men, these ten men, impact caused the tragic and untimely death Mrs. Willard. The Commander Fleet Forces went out to meet and engage in combat. So of all SEALs and Army Night Stalkers on- Command, Admiral Nathman and Mrs. although the operational equipment that board. Nathman, and the General Council of the they had on them that day on the 28th of These men answered the call to duty with United States Navy, Mr. Mora. In addition to June was not swim fins, not a UDT life jack- conspicuous gallantry. Their bravery and that we have many general officers [From et, not a mask, perhaps a K-Bar. We thought heroism in the face of severe danger while the joint services, retired community, re- it’s appropriate because we are first and fore- fighting a determined enemy in the Global tired Flag Officers. I’d also like to extend a most warriors from the sea, Navy men, that War on Terror was extraordinary. Their cou- welcome to our many veterans here today, we honor them today as SEALs and Navy rageous actions, zealous initiative and loyal our combat veterans. men. dedication to duty reflected great credit I would also like to extend a warm wel- The last thing I’d like to just mention is upon themselves, Naval Special Warfare, and come to our families in Naval Special War- the knife that’s on the web belt. The K-Bar the United States Navy. For the President, fare, especially to the families of Squadron also dates back to the knife used by the UDT Vern Clark, U.S. Navy, Chief of Naval Oper- Ten, whose husbands are still deployed and in World War II. And a tradition in Naval ations. engaged in combat operations far away. But Special Warfare when a young man finishes The presentations this morning will be most importantly I’d like to welcome the his training and is awarded his trident, when made by Commodore Pete Van Hooser, Com- families of the ten SEALs that we honor he is awarded his trident he is also presented mander, Naval Special Warfare Group Two

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