[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 26, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E587-E588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SYMPATHY EXPRESSED FOR TEAL FAMILY IN DALLAS, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 26, 2003

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, just 7 days ago, 
many Members in this House, including myself, supported the 
continuation of diplomacy in the Iraqi crisis as an alternative to 
immediate war. This House and the Senate, however, voted to authorize 
the use of force last October, and we have now used that force.
  We will never know what result might have come from having stayed the 
diplomatic course. We do know now, however, that our Nation is at war. 
We do know that the sons and daughters of all our many communities are 
engaged in the dangerous and unpredictable duties that are carried by 
the Armed Forces in a time of war.
  Our purpose here today is not to revisit the debate over the policies 
that lead us to war. My position on a peaceful solution to the Iraqi 
crises has not diminished. My conviction that untold and unwanted 
consequences await us in the future has not receded. My heartache over 
the potential loss of innocent lives, on all sides of this conflict, 
has not lessened.
  But, our purpose now is to unite solidly behind our troops and all 
those who are commanding our Armed Forces.
  Let no one, least of all Saddam Hussein, doubt that whatever the 
nature of our democratic debate may have looked like last October, 
today, or even next week, we are all united in prayer for a swift 
conclusion to hostilities. We are also united in our support for our 
soldiers and their families. Congress will not deny our men and women 
in the field whatever they need to accomplish their mission, including 
moral support from Capitol Hill.
  Mr. Speaker, I cannot let this moment pass without honoring one of 
our constituents from Dallas Metroplex. On Monday, I was informed that 
our community has suffered a great and tragic loss in the person of 
John Teal of Dallas, Texas. Staff Sergeant Teal was one of the 6 U.S. 
Air Force Members whose lives were lost on Sunday evening in the Ghazni 
area of Afghanistan.
  The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, from the 41st Rescue Squadron at 
Moody Air Force Base, crashed Sunday in the Afghan. The two medics and 
four-person crew were on their way to rescue two Afghan children with 
serious head injuries. Though this is not the war that is so heavily 
covered in the media right now, Staff Sergeant Teal and the rest of 
that helicopter crew were at war protecting innocence and our well-
being right here at home.

[[Page E588]]

  Mr. Teal will always be remembered by his friends, family and loved 
ones and will surely be honored by the entire constituency of the 
Dallas/Forth Worth Metroplex community for his bravery and heroism.
  Our hearts go out to all of the families who have lost a loved one. I 
also hope and pray for the safe and quick return of our Prisoners of 
War and all members of U.S. Armed Forces engaged in overseas conflicts.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with this House and with the people of Dallas/
Forth Worth Metroplex and Americans all across the country in declaring 
our unequivocal support for the brave young men and women in the 
Persian Gulf.

                          ____________________