[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 152 (Friday, November 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN TRIBUTE OF STAFF SGT. RYAN FORAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 22, 2002

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Staff Sgt. 
Ryan Dane Foraker. Staff Sgt. Foraker, a U.S. Army reservist with the 
342nd military police Company based in Columbus, Ohio, has been 
reported missing at the U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba since 
Tuesday, September 24, 2002.
  Sgt. Foraker's wallet, military ID and civilian shorts and T-shirt 
were found folded and stuck in a rock crevasse outside Camp America 
barracks.
  An extensive search and rescue effort including watercraft and search 
and rescue helicopters for the missing soldier was called off as of 2 
p.m. (EST) October 4, 2002. Staff Sgt. Foraker's official duty status 
is, ``whereabouts unknown.''
  Described as a ``model soldier,'' Foraker was in his seventh month of 
reserve duty as a supervisor of MP's guarding al-Qaeda and Taliban 
prisoners, first at Camp X-Ray and later at compound Delta as part of 
Operation Enduring Freedom. Detainee involvement was not suspected in 
his disappearance.
  Staff Sgt. Foraker leaves behind a wife and two daughters, ages 3 
years and 14 months.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to join me in expressing sincere 
sorrow, sympathy, and gratitude for Staff Sgt. Foraker and his family. 
Staff Sgt. Foraker's disappearance while defending America is a somber 
reminder of the dangers facing those safeguarding our Nation's 
freedoms. May God rest his soul.

                          ____________________