[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 63 (Friday, May 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNITION OF LANCE CORPORAL TORREY STOFFEL-GRAY

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 2004

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of 
Torrey Stoffel-Gray, who was recently killed in action in Iraq.
  Lance Cpl. Torrey Stoffel-Gray was a 19-year-old Marine from Patoka, 
Illinois. Patoka is a rural town in my district with a population 
around 630. At 16 he left Patoka to enter Lincoln Challenge, a 
military-style alternative school at Rantoul, Ill. Many friends and 
family say that Lincoln Challenge changed his life and helped him find 
his way. This young man was recently killed in action in Iraq when his 
convoy was struck by rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire in the Al 
Anbar Province. My condolences go out to his family and friends.
  Lance Cpl. Stoffel-Gray is survived by his mother, Mary Stoffel, his 
stepfather Jerry Stoffel and his three brothers, Brandon, Russell, and 
Blake. Lance Cpl. Stoffel-Gray was awarded the Purple Heart, which was 
presented to his mother at the time of his burial. Not enough can be 
said about Lance Cpl. Stoffel-Gray and the rest of our brave men and 
women serving in Iraq. These soldiers are risking their lives everyday 
to ensure our freedom here at home and to others throughout the world. 
I salute him and my best wishes go out to his family and all the troops 
fighting to ensure freedom and democracy.

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