[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E632-E633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO CORPORAL EVAN JAMES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 1, 2003

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, last week western Illinois lost one of its 
sons in the war against Iraq, and I would like to take this opportunity 
to celebrate his life, commend his bravery, and extend my condolences 
to his family, friends, and loved ones. Corporal Evan James, a member 
of the Marine Corps Reserves Unit based in Peoria, Illinois, made the 
ultimate sacrifice for his country. While his unwavering commitment to 
this nation and its ideals are an inspiration, it is a tragedy that 
this young, promising life was cut so short. He will be missed.
  Corporal Evan James, 20 years old, was born to Mike and Donna James 
of LaHarpe, Illinois. A 2000 graduate of LaHarpe High

[[Page E633]]

School, he played basketball while there and was a guard and outside 
linebacker on the Thunder football team. After graduation, Cpl. James 
joined Company C of the 6th Engineer Support Battalion to help pay for 
college. He was studying to be a physical fitness trainer at Southern 
Illinois University at Edwardsville. James' unit was fully mobilized on 
January 14, 2003 and he was deployed to the Persian Gulf in February. 
According to Gunnery Sergeant James Howard of the Naval and Marine 
Corps Reserve Center in Peoria, Evan James achieved his corporal's rank 
faster than most Marines, and was very professional with leadership 
abilities beyond his age. Captain John Bruzza called James a model 
Marine and a good leader who performed well above his pay grade. James' 
aunt Diane Kornegay said this about her nephew: ``They wanted a few 
good men and in Evan they got the best . . . . If you met him you would 
love him. He was that kind of person and we're just very proud of him 
for the person he was.''
  On behalf of the communities in western and central Illinois, I would 
like to extend my thoughts and prayers to the James family at this 
difficult time. Corporal Evan James' courage in serving his country 
will not soon be forgotten.

                          ____________________