[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 174 (Friday, December 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2312]]


IN MEMORY OF PETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASS VINCENT E. PARKER, UNITED STATES 
                                  NAVY

                                 ______
                                 

                   HON. CHARLES W. ``CHIP'' PICKERING

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2001

  Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, today I rise before the House of 
Representatives to honor the life of an outstanding American, Vincent 
E. Parker. United States Navy Petty Officer First Class Vincent E. 
Parker is originally from Preston, Mississippi. Tragically, Petty 
Officer Parker was lost on Sunday morning, November 18, 2001, along 
with one of his shipmates, Petty Officer Third Class Benjamin Johnson 
while serving his country in the Persian Gulf.
  Vincent Parker, noted for his devotion to God and country, grew up in 
rural eastern Mississippi. He attended Macon Elementary School and 
graduated from Nanih Waiya High School in Louisville. He was a devout 
member of the Assembly of God Church in Columbus, Mississippi, and he 
grew up in a loving, well-respected family with five siblings.
  Like his brother John, he enlisted in the Navy upon graduation from 
high school. He successfully climbed the ladder as an enlisted man and 
was rated as an Engineman First Class Petty Officer. He was serving 
onboard the USS Peterson. This deployment was to be his last, 
completing a successful career in the Navy. His mission on November 
18th was to enforce the United Nations sanctions imposed upon Iraq 
following the Gulf War. He boarded Samra, a ship believed to be 
smuggling oil for Saddam Hussein.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to Petty Officer Vincent Parker 
for his 19 years of service to the United States of America and the 
United States Navy. He is also to be commended for his life-long 
devotion as a son, husband, brother, father and citizen. Petty Officer 
Parker is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn D. Parker Jr. He 
is survived by his wife, Charlotte, and their two children, Vincent Jr. 
(age fourteen) and Rachel (age twelve). He leaves behind his sister 
Ruth Marie, and his four brothers, Glenn, Andy, Steven, and John.
  Vincent was known onboard the Peterson not only for his Naval 
leadership, but also for the example he set as a citizen and man of 
God. He was simply known as ``Butch'' to his friends. He enjoyed the 
simple pleasures in life such as family and deer hunting. He will most 
be remembered for his devotion to God, country, and family.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in remembering an 
American hero, Petty Officer First Class Vincent E. Parker. Our sincere 
prayers and thoughts are with the Parker family at this difficult time. 
May God bless the Parker family, and may God continue to bless the 
United States of America with heroes like Vincent Parker.

                          ____________________