[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 100 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1384-E1385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LIVES OF LT. CMDR. GARETH RIETZ AND LT. RAYMOND 
                                 O'HARE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the unfortunate deaths of 
two Navy test pilots at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station on July 
11, 2000. Lt. Cmdr. Gareth Rietz, 33, and Lt. Raymond O'Hare, 33, lost 
their lives while training to become test pilots at the prestigious 
U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. The students were flying on a 
familiarization flight aimed at refreshing their flying proficiencies 
following a short break. Both seniors, they were experienced aviators 
and were scheduled to graduate in December 2000.
  Commander Bob Stoney, the Naval Test Pilot School's Commanding 
Officer, in an interview with the Washington Post following the 
incident, commented, ``What they would have wanted us to do is get back 
on our horses and ride.'' There are safety and legal investigations 
under way, but life is returning to normal as a new class is beginning 
its training.
  Gareth Rietz, a native of Washington State, ``was the cheerleader for 
everybody, the coach, the quarterback,'' Stoney said. A graduate of 
Washington State University, he leaves his wife and daughters behind.
  Raymond O'Hare, a native of Illinois, was, as Stoney said, ``a 
tremendously gifted man who seemed to have a calling to higher things. 
He was extremely smart, good at everything he did.'' A graduate of 
Harvard University, he is survived by his wife and three children. 
Before he died, he had been selected for the grade of Lieutenant 
Commander.
  Their untimely deaths should prompt us all to take a moment to 
reflect on the sacrifices that they and thousands of others have made 
to keep this Nation safe and free. We should also take this time to re-
evaluate the benefits for our troops and their families. It is easy for 
us to take the military for granted in this time of relative peace and 
prosperity. But the crash at Pax River should remind us that what our 
military does each and every day is still dangerous.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in 
expressing our sincere condolences to the families of these two proud 
Americans who have sacrificed their lives for their Country. We should 
all pause to reflect on the loss of these two distinguished individuals 
who were being trained as test pilots, an occupation that directly 
benefits the safety and performance abilities of aircraft weapons 
systems. I also would ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
men and women who are left behind at the Test Pilot School to carry on 
the proud mission of this small elite program which has produced so 
many American heroes, both the famous, including John Glenn, dozens of 
Space Shuttle astronauts, and the unsung heroes who quietly dedicate 
their careers to pushing the technology envelope for aviation systems.

[[Page E1385]]

  Past and present members of the U.S. Armed Forces deserve to have our 
full and continued support and we should not wait for another tragedy 
like the one at Pax River, to remind ourselves that our troops are in 
danger on a daily basis, whether in harm's way or preparing to go into 
conflict. The men and women of our armed services are defending this 
nation so that we may go about our daily lives feeling safe and 
protected. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in 
the Congress to ensure that we provide them with the latest and best 
weapons systems available and that we continue to recognize their hard 
work and honor the sacrifices they make on a daily basis.

                          ____________________