[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 105 (Wednesday, August 3, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            IN TRIBUTE TO RETIRED LT. COL. JAMES H. BARRETT

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to retired 
Air Force Lt. Col. James H. Barrett, a Maryland native who lost his 
life while serving others. Lieutenant Colonel Barrett was tragically 
killed on July 29, 1994, outside the Pensacola Ladies Clinic while 
escorting Dr. John Britton to work at the clinic. Dr. Britton was also 
killed, and Lieutenant Colonel Barrett's wife was injured in the 
incident.
  Lieutenant Colonel Barrett and Dr. Britton are the latest victims in 
a long history of escalating violence at women's health clinics. I am 
very disturbed by this violence, and deeply saddened by the terrible 
tragedy in Pensacola. The fact that Lieutenant Colonel Barrett was 
needed to escort a doctor to provide services at a women's health 
clinic is, in itself tragic. But the deaths of both Lieutenant Colonel 
Barrett and Dr. Britton make this tragic situation even more horrific.
  Mr. President, Lieutenant Colonel Barrett was born and raised in my 
home State. After serving his country in the military through three 
wars, Lieutenant Colonel Barrett returned to Maryland where he taught 
math and science at a middle school. He and his late first wife raised 
two children. He met his second wife in Annapolis and they moved to 
Pensacola in 1992.
  Lieutenant Colonel Barrett gave much to the people of my home State, 
the State of Florida and the country. He was committed to helping 
others and will be remembered for his dedicated service to the 
community. He was known for driving voters to the polls on election day 
and giving advice to young people interested in college. He worked to 
revive the Annapolis chapter of the Retired Officers Association, which 
provides scholarships for the children of military officers, operates a 
job bank for retired officers and performs charity work. In addition to 
volunteering as a clinic escort in Pensacola, Lieutenant Colonel 
Barrett and his wife were involved with the Pensacola Unitarian 
Universalist Fellowship, the Escambia AIDS Service and Education [EASE] 
and the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
  Lieutenant Colonel Barrett's death is a great loss to his loving 
family, the Annapolis community, the Pensacola community, and the many 
lives that he touched. As we mourn the loss of this noble American, I 
hope we can also join together in working to end this terrible 
violence.

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