[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S2184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING SPECIALIST BRIAN CLEMENS

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with great sadness and 
tremendous gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from 
Kokomo, IN. Specialist Brian Clemens was just 19 years old. He died 
last week in Kuwait as he and his comrades in the 1st Battalion, 293rd 
Infantry of the Indiana Army National Guard prepared for a war that may 
soon begin. Brian was there, in a far away land, to fight for values we 
hold close to our hearts.
  Specialist Clemens was the first Indiana National Guard member killed 
overseas since Operation Desert Storm ended more than a decade ago. He 
was also the first American to perish while dutifully serving our 
Nation in a build-up for possible war with Iraq. I mourn along with 
Brian's family, friends and community. While our pride in Brian shall 
certainly live on, so too will our sorrow. But Brian's life, his 
courage, and his strength of character should serve as a powerful and 
consoling force in the difficult days ahead.
  Brian Clemens was an energetic and caring young man. He was adored by 
all who knew him for his charismatic personality. He was a positive 
force within his community, never failing to give of himself whenever 
possible. In the months following his graduation from Maconaquah High 
School in 2001, Brian returned to the school regularly to help 
wrestlers on the team hone their skills. He was selfless with his time 
and constantly gave back to the community in which he lived, cherishing 
his relationships above all else. Deeply devoted to his family, Brian 
was especially close to his younger sister, Jennifer.
  As President Abraham Lincoln wrote in a letter to the mother of a 
fallen Union soldier: ``I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the 
anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of 
the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have 
laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.'' These words 
ring as true today as they did 140 years ago, as we mourn the loss of 
Brian Clemens and honor the sacrifice he made for America and for all 
of humanity.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Brian Clemens in the official 
Record of the U.S. Senate for his service to this country and for his 
profound commitment to freedom, democracy, and peace. When I think 
about this just cause in which we are engaged, and the unfortunate pain 
that comes with the loss of our heroes, I hope that families like 
Brian's can find comfort in the word of the prophet Isaiah who said, 
``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away 
tears from off all faces.''
  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God 
bless the United States of America.

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