[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E653-E654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF MARINE GUNNERY SERGEANT PHILLIP A. JORDAN OF ENFIELD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB SIMMONS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 2, 2003

  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share a Connecticut 
family's sorrow with my colleagues and the nation.
  Marine Gunnery Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan, a 42-year-old Marine from 
Enfield, Connecticut, was killed along with eight other Marines near 
the city of An Nasiriyah. Sgt. Jordan died on March 23, when enemy 
troops, pretending to surrender, opened fire. He served America and the 
cause of freedom honorably in the first Gulf War, in Kosovo and in 
Afghanistan.
  Sgt. Jordan, a constituent of mine, is the first Connecticut resident 
known to have died in the war. He leaves his wife, Amanda, and a son, 
Tyler, who is 6 years old. He was laid to rest today with full military 
honors in Enfield. We mourn his passing but honor his service.
  This is an old story for Americans. Since our nations birth there 
have been periods of time in which brave men and women have had to step 
forward to defend our freedom, our Nation and our Constitution. Yet, 
the timelessness of the story does not ease the sadness that is felt by 
those who mourn the loss of their loved ones. It is not only our men 
and women in uniform who sacrifice for our Nation--their families make 
profound sacrifices as well.
  Sgt. Jordan reminds us that the guardians of our freedoms are the 
sons and daughters and the husbands and wives who volunteer to serve 
America and the people they love. When called upon, they leave their 
homes to engage in the dangerous and difficult work that must be done 
if we are to continue to enjoy the rights we have as Americans. Our men 
and women in uniform are the threads that bind together our national 
defense fabric. Without their courage throughout the centuries we would 
not be in this Chamber today.
  It is the soldier and his family who above all others desires peace 
because it is the soldier and his family who bears the heaviest burdens 
of war. But the soldier and his family also know that there are even 
heavier burdens than those imposed by war. They know that there are 
some things worth fighting for and dying for.
  Sgt. Jordan understood the difference between using force for 
liberation and defense; and using force for repression and conquest. He 
will take his place among the ranks of courageous and devoted Americans 
who gave their last full measure for this great Nation.
  America will be a safer and more secure nation because of Sgt. 
Phillip A. Jordan. The America that we love, and that we will not 
falter in defense of, will forever stand as his monument. He and his 
family will be in our prayers. We thank them for their service and 
sacrifice.

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