[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 9, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H6440-H6441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT FIRST CLASS GLADIMIR PHILLIPE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gerlach). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues here in the House 
of Representatives to join me in honoring a true American hero, 
Sergeant First Class Gladimir Phillipe, who made the ultimate sacrifice 
for our country when he lost his life in Iraq two weeks ago.
  At a funeral service over the Fourth of July weekend at St. Joseph 
the Carpenter Church in Roselle, New Jersey, hundreds of friends, 
family, and members of his community came to pay their last respects to 
this outstanding young man who strived to achieve the American dream.
  The son of Haitian immigrants and one of nine children, Sergeant 
Phillipe wanted to

[[Page H6441]]

move forward in life and to make a meaningful contribution to his 
country. His family is hard-working and close-knit; his father is a 
machine worker for a manufacturing company in New Jersey. Sergeant 
Phillipe joined the Army in 1988, a few years after graduating from 
Elizabeth High School. He served admirably in both Bosnia and the 
Persian Gulf. He also distinguished himself by serving as an 
interpreter during President Clinton's trip to Haiti in 1998.
  As we remember the inspirational life of this fine young man, let us 
offer our thanks for his service to our country. Let us also extend our 
deepest sympathy to his family--his father, Renisse; his stepmother, 
brothers and sisters, and his son, Cassidy.

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