[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 94 (Friday, June 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     RESCUE OF CAPT. SCOTT O'GRADY

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 1995
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, this morning the Nation awoke to some great 
news, for once, coming out of Bosnia. The young pilot, Scott O'Grady, 
of our F-16 that was downed last week over Bosnia was well back in our 
hands. Captain O'Grady's rescue culminated 5\1/2\ days of riding an 
emotional rollercoaster for his family, his commrades at Aviano and for 
the entire Nation. We join with his family in our heartfelt thanks to 
all those who participated in his outstanding rescue, and our 
appreciation for this one chapter with a happy ending in the on-going 
Bosnian tragedy.
  Recently, along with some of my colleagues, we had the opportunity to 
visit our airmen at the Aviano airbase in Italy from which Captain 
O'Grady flies. We were impressed at that time with the dedication and 
the high professionalism of all our personnel who serve with the NATO 
operation assisting the United Nations in Bosnia. This morning's 
dramatic operation only adds to our sense of admiration for the skill 
and training of these courageous young people serving in our military.
  I would first of all congratulate Captain O'Grady for his skill and 
perservance in surviving and evading capture behind enemy lines. I am 
confident that the Bosnian Serbs expended a great deal of effort in 
trying to locate him to use as another pawn in their cruel exploitation 
of U.N. peacekeepers in Bosnia. Captain O'Grady did everything possible 
to avoid providing the Serbs with a possible asset to use to hamstring 
this government. The fact that Captain O'Grady was found in relatively 
good health is a tribute to the superb services training our pilots 
receive.
  Secondly, I congratulate the personnel aboard the USS Kearsarge and 
all those who have undertaken the painstaking search and rescue 
operation that has been ongoing since the moment that SAM 6 struck 
Captain O'Grady's plane. The rescuers never gave up hope, and their 
confidence finally paid off. I particularly offer my praise for a job 
superbly done to the marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit that 
executed this daring rescue. They are a credit to all our men and women 
who serve this country in our Armed Forces. The Air Force and Naval 
personnel who supported the 24th MEU in this operation are also to be 
credit with the professionalism and persistence that made today's 
rescue possible. I know my colleagues join with me in extending our 
Nation's praise and gratitude.


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