[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 70 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  TRIBUTE TO M. SGT. MICHAEL G. HEISER

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                         HON. TILLIE K. FOWLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 1997

  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in 
honoring the memory of M. Sgt. Michael G. Heiser, USAF, who died 
serving his country on June 25, 1996, in the bombing of the Khobar 
Towers complex in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
  Master Sergeant Heiser entered the Air Force in 1979 and was a member 
of the Air Force Academy class of 1984. He traveled extensively in his 
Air Force career; he accompanied then-Chancellor Helmut Kohl to Berlin 
in November of 1989 when the Wall came down, and he was on the first 
United States plane escorted and allowed to land in free Russia. Master 
Sergeant Heiser was awarded the Academic Achievement Award and the 
Distinguished Graduate Award in 1993 at Kiesling NCO Academy and in 
1995 he was selected as the Aircrew Member of the Year in Europe. After 
he reentered the Air Force enlisted ranks, he became one of the most 
decorated enlisted men in the Air Force.
  Master Sergeant Heiser flew more than 10,000 hours in 9 years while 
he was based in Europe, and in 1996 was assigned to Patrick Air Force 
Base in Florida. Shortly afterwards, he was sent to Saudi Arabia with 
his squadron, whose motto is ``So Others May Live.''
  Master Sergeant Heiser was killed in the line of duty in Dhahran, 
Saudi Arabia, serving his country with honor and distinction. He was 
awarded the Purple Heart posthumously on June 30, 1996, which was 
accepted on behalf of their only child by his loving parents Fran and 
Gary Heiser, my constituents in Palm Coast, FL.
  Next week, we will observe Memorial Day--the day our Nation sets 
aside for honoring our fallen heroes. In anticipation of that hallowed 
day, this week Mr. and Mrs. Heiser were presented with a Fallen Friend 
medallion in Palm Coast, FL. I ask all of my colleagues in the Congress 
to join me this Memorial Day in paying tribute to the ultimate 
sacrifice made by Michael and each of his brothers-in-arms who gave 
their lives at Dhahran in defense of our Nation's vital interests.

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