[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 156 (Tuesday, October 10, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING KEVIN CARPENTER

                                 ______


                            HON. BILL BAKER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 1995

  Mr. BAKER of California. Mr. Speaker, Kevin Reid Carpenter was a 
young man of unusual promise. A sophomore at the Coast Guard Academy in 
New London, CT, he was twice an honor representative for his Academy 
class and had been voted by his fellow students as the most outstanding 
cadet. Closer to home, Kevin had been student body president at Liberty 
High in Brentwood, CA, a school at which he is remembered for his 
personal warmth, caring spirit, and natural leadership ability.
  Kevin died September 25 of a heart attack while playing soccer in New 
London. Evidently caused by an irregular heartbeat stemming from a 
childhood illness, Kevin's death has been a shock to his family, his 
community, and to the Coast Guard Academy. One is left to wonder why 
this exceptional young American was taken from us. Yet we know that 
although we sometimes cannot fathom God's ways, He is loving and worthy 
of our trust, even when events, from our human perspective, seem 
inexplicable.
  On a personal note, I am particularly proud of Kevin's choice of the 
Coast Guard as the branch of service in which to serve. As a former 
Guardsman myself, I understand the words of one of Kevin's closest 
friends, Coast Guard Academy cadet Matthew Baer, who said ``Kevin liked 
the idea of the Coast Guard, because we help people on a daily basis.''
  The motivation does not surprise me, as it characterized Kevin's 
life. A committed Christian, Kevin was active in many church, school, 
and community activities both because he loved life and because he 
wanted to serve others. This is the legacy of a life well-lived. As 
Kevin's paster, Larry Adams of Golden Hill Community Church, put it, 
``He had a life that counts because, in God's economy, it isn't the 
length, it's what you do with it.''
  Kevin did much with his life, and for this we honor him today. To his 
mother and stepfather, Tom and Carolyn Boden, his father, Bill 
Carpenter, his brothers Jeff and Neil and sister Alina, we extend our 
heartfelt sympathy. Yet we do so with the confidence of knowing that 
Jeff has entered a better land than this, our own beloved country which 
Kevin served so faithfully. it is in the spirit of this assurance that 
I urge all my colleagues to join with me in remembering Kevin Carpenter 
today.

                          ____________________