[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THE NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES ON MARCH 2, 
                                  2001

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 6, 2001

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday, 21 National Guardsmen 
lost their lives when their C-23 transport plane crashed. The guard 
members were returning from a training mission in Florida--one of the 
pilots lived in my district.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these 
soldiers, and this tragedy serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made 
by those who serve and protect our country.
  Mr. Speaker, last week, both the House and Senate passed resolutions 
honoring the life of NASCAR great, Dale Earnhardt, who was killed in 
the Daytona 500. I, of course share in the admiration of his life and 
the remorse in his death.
  I do want to make the point, however, that the guardsmen who lost 
their lives on Saturday were no less dedicated to their jobs, their 
families, or their communities. The men and women in our armed services 
place their lives on the line daily, where even routine training 
missions can carry the same risk as actual combat.
  So I ask my colleagues to remember those who serve our Nation. They 
may not have the notoriety, but their service is immeasurable.

                          ____________________