[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 24, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H1530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO WEST POINT CADET JOHN HEINMILLER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, the people of Eden Prairie, Minnesota are 
in mourning today as they grieve the loss of a favorite son, West Point 
Cadet John Heinmiller.
  There are no words to adequately convey our sympathy to Cadet 
Heinmiller's family. Our hearts and prayers go out to John's father 
John, his mother Julie, and younger brothers and sister Joe, Jimmy and 
Sue, on Cadet Heinmiller's tragic death early Sunday in Garrison, New 
York.
  John's loving family and countless friends are in shock over the 
passing of this remarkable young man who ``left an indelible mark on 
friends, coaches and teachers,'' to quote from today's front page 
article in the Star Tribune.
  Mr. Speaker, John's death is not only a great tragedy for his 
wonderful family, but also a great tragedy for Eden Prairie High School 
and the United States Military Academy. John was loved and respected by 
everyone who knew him. Of the several hundred service academy 
nominations that I have made over the past decade, John truly stands 
out for his remarkable personal qualities.
  John was not only a star in hockey, football and the classroom, John 
was a star in the way he conducted his life. As I said, when I 
nominated John to West Point: ``John Heinmiller is destined for success 
at the Military Academy and beyond because he has it all: highly 
intelligent, a great student athlete, personally charming, a quick wit 
and, most importantly, integrity and character that we need in our 
future leaders.''
  It is not easy to stand out, Mr. Speaker, the way John Heinmiller did 
at a high school renowned for its athletics with more than 3,000 
students. An honors student, John was so highly respected for his 
leadership qualities that his teammates at Eden Prairie High School 
voted him senior captain of both his football and hockey teams. He also 
earned his school's highest athletic honor the Scott Ryski Award.
  As his Eden Prairie High School football coach Mike Grant put it 
best, ``John was a good football player, but above that, he was an 
outstanding person. This is a devastating loss to our school, our 
community and our city. This is a kid who would have been leading our 
country someday.''
  Eden Prairie's boys' hockey coach, Lee Smith, also coached John and 
said, ``He was also the kind of person that if you spent 2 minutes 
around, you would see dedication, love, charisma and energy. John was 
one of the greatest role models who has ever gone through our high 
school.''
  At West Point, John was a freshman hockey player and was called up to 
play with the varsity this past season. From all reports by West Point 
officials and coaches, John had already distinguished himself and was 
headed for great success.
  Above all, Mr. Speaker, John Heinmiller loved his family very dearly. 
His younger brothers and sister were his best friends. As John's dad 
told me yesterday, ``His mother and I could not have asked for a better 
son in every way.''
  Mr. Speaker, my prayer today is that Cadet John Heinmiller's legacy 
will inspire all of us to greater heights. We thank God for the way 
John lived his life and the wonderful role model he was. We are also 
grateful to John for his service to country at West Point.
  May John Heinmiller's spirit continue to live in each of us and may 
God bless his family and friends.

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