[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E574-E575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN T. SIMS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2004

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, Lance Corporal John T. Sims, Jr., 
21, of Alexander City, Alabama, died on April 10, 2004 in Iraq. Lance 
Corporal Sims was a member of the Marine's 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine 
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based at Camp Pendleton, California, and 
died of a gunshot sustained during combat. He is survived by his mother 
Margaret Kellum, stepfather Jerry Kellum, and his sister Daphne, as 
well as his father, John T. Sims of Millbrook. He is also survived by 
his sister Wendy Smith of Alex

[[Page E575]]

City, his maternal grandparents William and Mary Peppers of Our Town 
and a paternal grandmother, Beulah Sims of Alexander City.
  John Sims, Jr. was eager to serve his country as a Marine, Mr. 
Speaker. After graduating from Benjamin Russell High School in 2001, he 
joined the Marines and was known for his great sense of humor, his 
quick wit, and his big heart. Like every other soldier, he dutifully 
left behind his family and loved ones to serve our country overseas.
  Words cannot express the sense of sadness we have for his family, and 
for the gratitude our country feels for his service. Lance Corporal 
Sims died serving not just the United States, but the entire cause of 
liberty, on a noble mission to help spread the cause of freedom in Iraq 
and liberate an oppressed people from tyrannical rule.
  We will forever hold him closely in our hearts, and remember his 
sacrifice and that of his family as a remembrance of his bravery and 
willingness to serve.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the House's remembrance on this mournful 
day.

                          ____________________