[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 53 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3834-S3835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        LT. CMDR. A. JASON BAYER

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I stand before you today with a heavy 
heart. On Thursday, March 28, this country lost one of its prized sons. 
Lt. Cmdr. A. Jason Bayer was killed during a search and rescue training 
mission on a rugged Sierra Nevada Ridge.
  The son of Arthur Bayer of Carson City, NV, and the late Merry Ann 
Bayer, Jason's success as a fighter pilot was determined early in life. 
As his father recalls, the very first word out of his mouth was 
``jet.''
  Growing up in Carson City, Jason was a star student, an avid athlete, 
and a loyal friend. Jason graduated from Carson City High School in 
1986 and the University of Southern California in 1990. Commissioned to 
the Navy later the same year, he was accepted to the Naval Aviators 
Officer Candidate School, from which he was an honor graduate. He 
graduated first in his class from Intermediate Jet Flight Training, and 
then first in his class from Advanced Jet Training. Jason was stationed 
in Japan then was a flight instructor at Cecil Field in Florida and 
graduated from the Navy Test Pilot School in Maryland. Most recently, 
he was a test pilot in the Naval Weapons Test Squadron at China Lake. 
Jason's career was distinguished. He earned the VT 22 Eagle ``Top 
Hook'' award, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy and Marine 
Corps Achievement Medal. Each achievement in his career took him closer 
to his ultimate goal of becoming an astronaut. His love for flying and 
the military and his devotion to God and this country never wavered and 
was only paralleled by his love for his family and friends. His life-
long friend, Dan Bernal, described him as ``a true patriot.''
  I share these details of Jason's life with you so that his wife Anne, 
their one-year-old daughter, Gabriella, and their unborn son, Jason 
Christian, will have one more thing by which to remember him. Anne and 
Jason were blessed with 6 years of marriage. Although cut short, they 
were filled with many wonderful memories. But for Gabriella and her 
brother, stories and pictures of their father are all that they will 
have. In speaking to Anne about her husband, I quickly learned what a 
remarkable and strong person she is as well. Jason's legacy and their 
children are in wonderful hands.
  As an F/A-18 Hornet fighter pilot, Jason was prepared to fight for 
his country no matter what the cost. He was focused on his mission as a 
pilot, and he never lost sight of his dream to challenge the sky's 
limits and be the first man on Mars. With our loss of Jason, I am 
reminded of our loss of seven valiant astronauts on January 28, 1986, 
on these space shuttle Challenger. Jason was a senior in high school 
with a bright future when President Reagan spoke of the astronauts' 
final journey in which they ``slipped the surly bonds of earth'' to 
``touch the face of God.''
  Jason is surely touching the face of God today. His service and 
dedication earn him a place among the outstanding men and women who 
risked their lives in the name of freedom and in the end made the 
ultimate sacrifice. Jason's life was cut tragically short, but his time 
here is an inspiration to me and an example of a true American hero for 
us all.
  God bless Lt. Cmdr. Jason Bayer, and God bless his family.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I applaud my colleague from Nevada for his 
heartfelt remarks concerning the tragic death of Lt. Cmdr. A. Jason 
Bayer. I rise today to honor this outstanding individual, a patriot, 
and I agree that this country, and more importantly Nevada, has lost 
one of its cherished sons.
  It is with deep sorrow that I make this statement to you today on the 
Senate floor. Anne, please accept my sincerest condolences for the loss 
of your husband.
  Jason made the ultimate sacrifice while conducting a search and 
rescue training mission in the rugged Sierra

[[Page S3835]]

Nevada Mountains. He truly is an American hero. You should be extremely 
proud of your husband, and I want you to know that citizens in Nevada 
and across this great nation appreciate his selfless service. Your 
daughter Gabriella and your unborn son, Jason Christian, will forever 
know the dedication and patriotism of their father.
  Mr. President, I am very proud of Jason's patriotism and devotion to 
duty. I am also extremely grateful for his exemplary service to our 
country. I know all Nevadans feel the same way. My thoughts and prayers 
are with you and your family throughout these difficult times.

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