[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 27 (Tuesday, March 12, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H817-H818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SALUTING A HERO: PETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASS NEIL C. ROBERTS, USN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today torn by two emotions: proud of the 
way that U.S. Navy SEAL Neil Roberts served our country and saddened by 
his loss in the line of duty.
  Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts grew up in Woodland, 
California, which I am privileged to represent. One of 11 children in 
the Roberts family, Neil graduated from Woodland High in 1987 and 
joined the U.S. Navy that September.
  Neal served with distinction in the U.S. Navy, first assigned to the 
Navy Air Reconnaissance Squadron and then joining the elite Navy SEAL 
team. He served in the Navy with distinction, earning two Navy and 
Marine Corps Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, the Joint 
Meritorious Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, five Sea 
Service Deployment Medals, the NATO Medal, three Southwest Asia Service 
Medals, the Battle ``E'', his Rifle Marksmanship Medal, his Pistol 
Expert Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the National Defense 
Award. This is truly a record to be proud of.

[[Page H818]]

  This year, Petty Officer Roberts was part of Operation Anaconda in 
eastern Afghanistan. This operation is aimed at containing and 
eliminating the al Qaeda and Taliban forces still fighting against the 
newly established democracy, against American troops, and against 
allied forces in the region. Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts was 
there to answer the call and he made the ultimate sacrifice.
  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Neal's wife, Patricia, and their 
18-month-old son; to Neal's mother, Janet; and to the rest of his 
family and friends. I hope it will comfort them to know that a nation 
mourns with them and that Neil made us all proud.

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