[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A LIFE OF SERVICE AND COURAGE; A TRIBUTE TO ARMY MASTER SGT. KELLY L. 
                                HORNBECK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2004

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a brave 
young man from my district who was fatally wounded two weeks ago while 
serving his country in Iraq.
  Only 36 years of age, Army Master Sgt. Kelly L. Hornbeck displayed 
unbending love for his family and an insatiable appetite for living. As 
an avid outdoorsman, he always looked for adventures and conquered any 
obstacles that lay before him. It did not take his family and friends 
by surprise when he joined the United States Army in 1987 and quickly 
rose through the ranks to be selected for the Army's prestigious ``Old 
Guard,'' which stands watch at the Tomb of the Unknowns here in 
Washington. Hornbeck was quickly promoted to drill sergeant and joined 
the Army's elite Special Forces in 1990 where he served as a combat 
diver, free-fall parachutist, and jump master.
  In recent years, Master Sgt. Hornbeck had served tours of duty in 
both Afghanistan and Iraq as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 10th 
Special Forces Group stationed at Fort Carson, CO. He received many 
awards and decorations while serving the Army which include: two Bronze 
Star Medals, two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star Medal, the Meritorious 
Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.
  Hornbeck is remembered by one of his former commanders as a true 
patriot to the United States and to his native State of Texas, and his 
friends describe him as someone who had a strong moral compass.
  Hornbeck's two daughters, Jacqueline (11) and Tyler (7), shared such 
precious memories of their father at his memorial service as a ``great 
friend'' who was ``brave.'' When asked what her favorite memory of her 
dad was, the youngest daughter Tyler said, ``I don't know because I 
have so many.'' His parents, Camille and Jeffrey Hornbeck of Fort 
Worth, praised their son's accomplishments and the cause for which he 
fought.
  Master Sgt. Hornbeck lived an extraordinary life, rich with love, 
laughter, and pride. As a Member of Congress, I rise today to 
acknowledge Master Sgt. Hornbeck and his family for their sacrifice and 
service to the cause of freedom and the war against terror.
  I wish to conclude by reading a letter from Master Sgt. Hornbeck to 
his parents.

       Dear Mom and Dad: If ya'll are reading this, then I am on 
     my way to help do my part to ensure the future security of 
     our great nation. I don't take this charge lightly or with a 
     cavalier attitude, rather with a resolute heart and a clear 
     conscience. I am strongly convinced that what we are doing is 
     just and worthy of all that could be spent in the effort. I 
     am not afraid and neither should either of you be, for I 
     trust in my God (Psalm 23) and my training, two powerful 
     forces that cannot be fully measured.
       My training is not only limited to that which has been 
     bestowed on me by the mightiest military in the world but 
     also by the greatest set of parents in the world. I am who I 
     am because ya'll made me that way, and for that I thank you.
       If anything untoward should befall me please insure that 
     the qualities you raised me with get passed onto my children. 
     I love you both very much and intend to see you soon!
       Isaiah 6:8
                                                            Kelly.

  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hornbeck family. May God bless 
and comfort you during this tragic time.

                          ____________________