December 11, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 24893 Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, it is with H. CON. RES. 281 serve his country as an intelligence of- great pleasure that I rise today in support of Whereas as part of the war against ter- ficer. Prior to joining the CIA, Mike the Veterans Education and Benefits Expan- rorism, United States military personnel and served in the United States Marine sion Act. This legislation expands veterans’ agents from the Central Intelligence Agency Corps; he loved the Corps. I think all benefits, to help veterans to have adequate were involved in combat with Taliban forces Marines love the Corps and often spoke healthcare and increased educational opportu- during a prison uprising in Mazar-e Sharif, of the Corps as if it was a family. And Afghanistan, on Sunday, November 25, 2001; nities. While this legislation seeks to repay Whereas Johnny Micheal Spann, age 32, an it is a family. We all know that. He left those sacrificed so much for the freedom and officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Corps and he joined the CIA be- liberty of our country, we will never be able to was inside the prison fortress interviewing cause, in his own words, ‘‘Somebody’s truly compensate those men and women in Taliban prisoners when the uprising began; got to do the things that nobody else uniform who have fought in German, the Pa- Whereas Spann was killed in this rebellion really wants to do.’’ cific, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, or Af- and is the first American known to be killed His dedication to this country and ghanistan. in combat in Afghanistan during this war; his commitment to defending its val- This legislation authorizes the Montgomery Whereas Spann is the 79th employee of the ues and liberties highlight the quality Central Intelligence Agency killed in the GI Bill full-time study allotment to $985 by Oc- line of duty; of the men and women who have de- tober 2002. Additionally, the legislation im- Whereas the Director of the Central Intel- cided to serve our great country. Mike proves home loan guarantees for veterans to ligence Agency, George J. Tenet, hailed did exactly what he set out to do. He $60,000. It increases the burial and funeral ex- Spann as an American hero and will soon served his country in a way many pense benefits for service-connected veterans memorialize him on a wall of honor; would not or could not. A relatively to $2,000. It improves automobile and adapt- Whereas Spann, a former Captain in the newlywed, with a newborn son and two ive equipment grants for severely disabled vet- Marine Corps, is survived by his wife, Shan- young daughters, Mike selflessly re- erans to $9,000. non, and 3 young children; and sponded to the call to serve at the fore- Whereas the thoughts and prayers of the Most importantly, this legislation remembers Congress and the Nation remain with the front of our Nation’s war against ter- those who have often been forgotten. The leg- families of Spann and all the soldiers fight- rorism. islation repeals the 30-year presumptive pe- ing to ensure the Nation’s freedom and safe- Half a world away, in a dusty, inhos- riod for respiratory cancers and diabetes due ty: Now, therefore, be it pitable and alien environment, Mike to Agent Orange. It requires the National Resolved by the House of Representatives (the confronted our Nation’s fiercest enemy Academy of Science to conduct research to Senate concurring), That the Congress— eye to eye. He did this not because it determine the effects of dioxin or herbicide ex- (1) honors Johnny Micheal Spann, a para- was his job, but because he was com- military officer in the Central Intelligence posure on Vietnam veterans. Finally, it pelled to ensure that all people, regard- Agency, who was the first American killed in less of their nationality or religion, changes the Gulf War programs to include combat during the war against terrorism in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chron- Afghanistan, and recognizes him for his could live without the fear of being vic- ic multisymptom illness and any other illness bravery and sacrifice; tims of terrorism. That is what this is that cannot be clearly identified to the defini- (2) extends its deepest sympathies to the about. tion of undiagnosed illnesses, thus allowing family of this brave hero; and Mike died fighting, trying to obtain veterans to receive compensation. (3) pledges its continued support for the information on terrorist plans and in- I am grateful for the work done on this legis- men and women who risk their lives every tentions so we could save others. Face day to ensure the safety of all United States to face against those bent on killing in- lation by my House colleagues concerning vet- citizens. erans’ issues. I hope that the House will join nocent men, women, and children, me in supporting this legislation. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mike stood strong, he stood tireless Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. ant to the rule, the gentleman from and fearless. That is the description of Speaker, I yield back the balance of Florida (Mr. GOSS) and the gentle- an American hero and Mike was one. my time. woman from California (Ms. PELOSI) Up to the moment of his death, Mike The SPEAKER pro tempore. The each will control 20 minutes. never stopped being a Marine. ‘‘Semper question is on the motion offered by The Chair recognizes the gentleman Fidelis.’’ He was always faithful. He the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. from Florida (Mr. GOSS). was faithful to the countless, nameless SMITH) that the House suspend the GENERAL LEAVE millions of Americans, especially those rules and agree to the resolution, Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- incapable of defending themselves. House Resolution 310. mous consent that all Members may Mike exemplified a breed of officer not The question was taken; and (two- have 5 legislative days within which to normally acknowledged in the public thirds having voted in favor thereof) revise and extend their remarks on H. sector. He readily accepted the risks of the rules were suspended and the reso- Con. Res. 281. service, including the possibility of lution was agreed to. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there death, in order to secure the safety of A motion to reconsider was laid on objection to the request of the gen- his fellow Americans. the table. tleman from Florida? His death acts as a reminder of the There was no objection. high cost we must sometimes pay in f Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- order to secure our pursuit of liberty self such time as I may consume. and happiness. We hold the greatest HONORING JOHNNY MICHEAL I rise obviously in very strong and debt to Mike and to his family. The SPANN, FIRST AMERICAN sad support of this resolution; sorry memory of his deeds must be held for- KILLED IN COMBAT IN WAR that we have to have it. It is author- ever dear in our hearts. We pray for AGAINST TERRORISM IN AF- ized by my friend and colleague, the Mike’s family and ask God to give GHANISTAN, AND PLEDGING gentleman from Alabama (Mr. them strength and see them through CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR MEM- ADERHOLT). these difficult days. BERS OF ARMED FORCES Johnny Micheal Spann, ‘‘Mike’’ as he We also pray for Mike’s fellow col- Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I move to was known, served in the Central Intel- leagues in intelligence and in the mili- suspend the rules and agree to the con- ligence Agency for approximately 2 tary, who are still standing, even now, current resolution (H. Con. Res. 281) years, just long enough to complete his as the Nation’s vanguard in the war honoring the ultimate sacrifice made training as a paramilitary and an oper- against terrorism. by Johnny Micheal Spann, the first ations officer in the clandestine serv- There are many Mike Spanns out American killed in combat during the ice, which is arguably the most chal- there doing dangerous hard work for war against terrorism in Afghanistan, lenging and dangerous job in the intel- our country. God bless them all and and pledging continued support for ligence community. keep them safe. But there is only one members of the Armed Forces. Mike was up to the challenge. In fact, Mike Spann for his family and his The Clerk read as follows: he humbly accepted the opportunity to loved ones. VerDate Aug 18 2005 07:58 Sep 01, 2005 Jkt 089102 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\H11DE1.002 H11DE1 24894 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE December 11, 2001 b 1730 was really his duty as a father to pro- Mike and a fellow CIA officer drew Mr. Speaker, we share the burden of tect his children from terrorism, just their weapons and attempted to fight their loss today, and we want them to as equally as he thought it was his their way out of the prison fortress. know we honor him before the world duty to provide a roof over their While his fellow CIA officer was able to from this place. heads.’’ escape, Mike, unfortunately, became Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- As we pay tribute to Mike Spann’s the first American killed in action in sent to yield the balance of my time to sacrifice, Mr. Speaker, our sympathies Afghanistan. the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. and prayers certainly go to his family, Before his death, he and his fellow ADERHOLT), who is the sponsor of the his wife, Shannon, who is also a CIA of- CIA officer were able to alert outside legislation, to control the time.