[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E60-E61]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING SGT. 1ST CLASS MICHAEL McELHINEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2002

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a heroic 
native of Kansas City, Missouri, Sergeant 1st Class Michael McElhiney, 
graduate of Hickman Mills High School and a special honoree tonight at 
the State of the Union. The US military recently bestowed upon Sgt. 
McElhiney both a Bronze Star with a ``V'' for valor and a Purple Heart 
for his exceptional bravery in battle during the war in Afghanistan. As 
an officer of the Army's 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, 
Sergeant 1st Class Michael McElhiney has heroically served our country. 
I am extremely honored to recognize Mr. McElhiney and his wife today 
for their sacrifices for our country.
  During his arduous mission in Afghanistan, Sergeant 1st Class 
McElhiney and his fellow soldiers successfully rescued citizens who had 
helped resist the Taliban. Traveling with Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan's 
interim prime minister, the coalition of Afghan and US soldiers helped 
force the Taliban to retreat. During a US air strike aimed to weaken 
the Taliban control of Kandahar, Sergeant 1st Class McElhiney was 
wounded in ``friendly fire,'' a term used by the military to describe 
injuries resulting from allies' weapons. As a result of this battle in 
Kandahar, Sergeant 1st Class McElhiney lost his right hand and suffered 
a collapsed lung. Sergeant 1st Class McElhiney was reunited with his 
wife after being airlifted to the Marine Corps base at Camp Rhino and 
then to a US military base in Germany.
  Sergeant 1st Class McElhiney is a hero to residents of both 
Missouri's fifth district and the country. As part of an assignment on 
American heroes, fifth grade students at Comanche and Westwood View, 
two local elementary schools in Johnson County, adopted Mr. McElhiney 
as their hero. The children have sent numerous letters to Sergeant 1st 
Class McElhiney to thank him for his courage and integrity in battle. 
In addition, the students are preparing a book for Mr. McElhiney that 
will be bound and will include their picture on the cover. The bravery 
and perseverance shown by Mr. McElhiney in Afghanistan exemplify the 
sacrifices our Armed Forces make every day for our freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Sergeant 1st Class Michael 
McElhiney and his wife as they represent the best of our country. All 
Americans owe Sergeant 1st Class McElhiney a debt of gratitude for his 
service to promote freedom and democracy worldwide.

[[Page E61]]



                          ____________________