E1642 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 6, 2006 freedom and protect democracy. They face to a seaman, a Sailor in whose chest beat the Rule of Law Officer for the Staff Judge Advo- countless dangers as they serve under the most valiant heart of all.’’ MCBM Brashear’s cate Combined Forces Command—Afghani- most difficult of conditions. We remember our son, Phillip Brashear, an Army chief warrant stan, in support of Operation Enduring Free- family members, friends and neighbors across officer 4, said it best, ‘‘He taught people world- dom Colonel Gebelein served in Afghanistan Wilson County and Tennessee who made the wide that your race, your gender, your religion, for 8 months and shortly after his return to the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. And it is none of that makes any difference. You can Delaware Superior Court, his expertise as a with great pride and admiration that we sup- achieve your goals, you can be held account- premier international jurist was recognized; port the Tennesseans who continue to serve able to your characteristics as a person, not based on the quality of his character and their Nation overseas. by the color of your skin.’’ knowledge in international legal matters, Colo- Tonight’s Patriot Day Community Candle- Countless stories of MCBM Brashear’s brav- nel Gebelein was invited to address the United light in Mt. Juliet is an opportunity to person- ery, determination, courage and friendship Nations forum on International Humanitarian ally thank our local heroes—both at home and show that he was more than a man with a Law and Peacekeeping Operations. Colonel overseas—for their dedication and sacrifice. It dream; he was a sailor whose skill and dedi- Gebelein currently serves as an International is a time to remember those patriots we have cation make him a hero. Brashear was the re- Judge for War Crimes and Organized Crime lost, and it is a chance for us to renew our cipient of multiple awards and commendations and Economic Corruption on the Criminal and own patriotic spirit. including the Navy Commendation Medal, Appellate Divisions of the Court of Bosnia and f Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense Herzegovina. Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to ex- NAVY MASTER DIVER CARL Navy Occupation Service Medal and the Pres- BRASHEAR REMEMBERED press my deep personal thanks to Colonel idential Unit Citation. Gebelein for his service to the United States Nearly 800 people gathered last week to Army, the Delaware Superior Court, and the honor MCBM Brashear as he was memorial- HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD citizens of Delaware. Colonel Gebelein’s dis- OF NORTH CAROLINA ized. To their words I can add only that through the actions of Master Chief Carl tinguished career is a testament to his impec- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Brashear, we are a better nation today. With- cable character, intelligence, and integrity. I’m Wednesday, September 6, 2006 out the resolve of sailors like Carl Brashear, a proud to call him a friend, but I’m grateful that he is a Delawarean. Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise man whose boundless determination inspired today to remember a great American warrior every walk of life, our country and its people f and patriot. Master Chief Carl Brashear could never truly understand dedication and passed away on July 25, 2006 at the Naval sacrifice. TRIBUTE TO MONTY BROOKS AND Medical Center in Portsmouth. His legendary f THE IMPORTANCE OF BASIC accomplishments, however, live on in Navy IN HONOR OF COLONEL RICHARD FIRST AID TRAINING lore today and for generations to come. STEPHEN GEBELEIN As a 17 year old, Brashear joined the Navy in 1948, shortly after the service had been offi- HON. MIKE PENCE cially desegregated. At age 23, he applied for, HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE OF INDIANA OF DELAWARE was accepted to and graduated from the Navy IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Salvage Diving School. Twelve years later, an IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES accident aboard the salvage ship Hoist nearly Wednesday, September 6, 2006 Wednesday, September 6, 2006 cost Brashear his career and his life. Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to Brashear’s left leg was amputated below the pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to highlight the importance of basic life-saving knee, a crippling debilitation for anyone but Colonel Richard Stephen Gebelein upon his skills such as CPR and the Heimlich Maneu- worse for a man whose dream was to be a retirement from the United States Army Judge ver. One of my constituents, Monty Brooks, master diver in the finest Navy in the world. Advocate General’s Corps after 26 years of recognizes the importance of these skills fol- He refused to give up. faithful and distinguished service. lowing a frightening experience in August. In 1967, Brashear became the first Navy Colonel Gebelein’s legal career began upon On this warm Indiana evening, Monty diver to be restored to full active duty as an his graduation from Villanova University Brooks and his 9-year-old daughter, amputee, and his focus returned to the sea. School of Law in 1970. After law school, Colo- Carrington, were spending time together on By March 1968, he was back to work at the nel Gebelein served as a law clerk on the their porch. Carrington had prepared some NAS Norfolk where he served as the lead Delaware Chancery Court, deputy attorney leftovers from dinner and after a lull in the diver. general for the State of Delaware, State Solic- conversation, Monty realized something was In June 1970, less than 4 years after the ac- itor of the Delaware Department of Justice, terribly wrong with his daughter. Carrington cident, Carl Brashear made history again. He and as the Chief Deputy Public Defender. In clutched her neck indicating that she was became the first African-American to be cer- 1979, Colonel Gebelein began his military ca- choking. tified as a master diver in the United States reer when he became a member of the United Mr. Speaker, Monty Brooks knows first-hand Navy and the only amputee deep-sea diver to States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps the importance of basic life-saving skills. ever achieve that status. Brashear would also with the HHC 261st Signal Command of the Monty is the director of health and safety for go on to become the first black man to ever Delaware Army National Guard. become Master Diver of the U.S. Navy, a po- After serving as Delaware’s Attorney Gen- the Hoosier Heartland Chapter of the Amer- sition he held from 1975 to 1977. Brashear re- eral from 1979 to 1983, Colonel Gebelein was ican Red Cross. His experience with tired from the Navy in 1979 after 31 years of appointed to the bench of the Delaware Supe- Carrington only serves to highlight his long- devoted service. rior Court. Colonel Gebelein’s appointment to time understanding that these skills are impor- ‘‘Carl, a man with such humble beginnings, the bench required that he become what’s tant. has touched so many people,’’ said retired known as an M-Day Soldier, or a part-time Monty Brooks put his basic life-saving Master Diver J. Lamont King—the fifth black drilling soldier. However, Colonel Gebelein knowledge to use on that warm August American in history to earn the title. ‘‘He rep- continued to bolster his already impressive evening. He performed the Heimlich Maneuver resented African-Americans. He represented credentials by graduating from the United on Carrington, dislodging the food and allow- people with disabilities. He represented the States Army War College and earning a de- ing her to breathe freely once again. United States Navy. He represented veterans. gree in Islamic Studies at the University of Sa- I rejoice with Monty Brooks that Carrington He was the best of the best of what was truly rajevo in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Colonel is well after this frightening episode. I also American.’’ For many, Carl’s courage broke Gebelein has also been integral in improving commend Monty for his dedication to edu- barriers and helped changed attitudes, but his services provided to soldiers in the Delaware cating and training others in basic life-saving legacy is not that of an amputee or of an Afri- Army National Guard. Colonel Gebelein de- skills through the American Red Cross pre- can-American but rather of a seaman who vised the system used for processing adminis- venting the unnecessary deaths of his fellow overcame disability and racial prejudices to trative discharge boards and courts martial at Hoosiers. Along with Monty Brooks, I encour- join a long blue line of American heroes. the Delaware Army National Guard. age Hoosiers and all Americans to get trained As the Command Master Chief of NAB Little In 2004, Colonel Gebelein was called-up and become familiar with basic life-saving Creek Hakim Diaz remarked, ‘‘We pay tribute and went to Afghanistan and served as the skills. VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:28 Sep 07, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A06SE8.052 E06SEPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMREMARKS.