[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H2455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE MEMORY OF PAT TILLMAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Pat 
Tillman, a San Jose native who was killed in action last week in 
Afghanistan.
  At a time when many of us in this country talk about sacrifice, about 
devotion, about courage, we can look to Pat Tillman as a man who lived 
those ideals. The consummate student athlete, Pat excelled in the 
classroom and on the gridiron at Leland High School in San Jose. He 
graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University while earning 
the honor of Pac-10 defensive Player of the Year of 1997. He was a 
loyal friend, a dutiful son, and a devoted brother.
  By now, many of my colleagues have heard about Pat's selfless 
decision to join the Army Rangers, a decision that required him to turn 
his back on a multi-million dollar contract offer to continue playing 
professional football for the Arizona Cardinals.
  Pat wanted to serve his country. He wanted to be a direct part of our 
national response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
  In a society that reveres athletes as heroes, that hypes sporting 
events as mythic battles between warring foes, Pat Tillman wanted to 
serve his country as a soldier.
  His enlistment in May of 2002 drew media attention, but Pat very 
deliberately avoided the publicity that followed his decision. For him, 
joining the Rangers was a matter of duty and honor, not an opportunity 
to generate fanfare for himself.
  Instead of seeking special recognition for his own actions, Pat 
shifted attention to the men and women serving in the armed forces. 
Alongside his brother Kevin, Pat served in Afghanistan where Coalition 
forces continue to search for Osama bin Laden.
  Last Thursday, near a village approximately 25 miles southwest of a 
U.S. military base, Pat was killed in a firefight when his unit came 
under attack.
  Pat Tillman has made the ultimate sacrifice. The selflessness and 
patriotism he displayed in his short life will serve as a model to all 
Americans. For the people of San Jose, he is a native son lost in the 
field of battle. For Americans across the country, he represents the 
ideals of duty, honor, and courage.

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