[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1597]]
                JEFFREY MATTISON WERSHOW: KILLED IN IRAQ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to speak 
about a very brave young man, Jeffrey Mattison Wershow, who was killed 
in the line of duty in Iraq. A specialist in the Florida National Guard 
who served with the Army's 124th Infantry Regiment, he died at the very 
young age of twenty-two. Jeffrey was born in Gainesville, a city which 
is in my congressional district, Florida's third.
  Compounding the tragedy of Jeffrey's death is that he was killed in 
Iraq while trying to keep the peace after the U.S. invasion had already 
ended. He was assigned to be part of a group of soldiers in a 124-man 
group assigned to escort U.S. officials. He was killed while guarding a 
convoy of vehicles while they were parked outside a campus building at 
Baghdad University when an Iraqi man approached him, pulled out a gun, 
and shot him.
  For his service in ``Iraqi Freedom'' Jeffrey received the Army 
Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Achievement 
Medal, the Parachute Badge and the Army Service Medal. The Army in 
fact, has recommended that he receive the Bronze Star and the Purple 
Heart for his dedicated and honorable service in combat.
  It is truly impressive all that Jeffrey had accomplished during his 
young life. He began his active duty in the U.S. Army back in June 
1999. After he finished his specialized training, he went on to join 
the 82nd Airborne Division of the Army's 505 Parachute Infantry 
Regiment. From there, he went on to continue his service with the 
National Guard.
  A curious and bright young man, Jeffrey had a burning interest in 
history and political science. He was active in Gainesville politics, 
and served as co-campaign manager to the campaign of one of my close 
friends, Cynthia Chestnut, during her County Commission campaign in 
2002. He also participated in politics at Santa Fe Community College, 
was elected to the Student Senate, and was intending to run for student 
body president.
  In a photo taken of him for which he will be fondly remembered, he 
can be seen patriotically waving the flag during last year's University 
of Florida Homecoming parade. Jeffrey, riding in the veteran's float, 
in a demonstration of boundless patriotism and limitless energy, jumped 
out of the boat and ran down the street waving the American flag to 
energize the crowd.
  Jeffrey will be deeply missed by all of the people who knew him. I 
will keep Jeffrey and his family members with me in my prayers and 
thoughts.

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