[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 117 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RYAN MARTIN

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                           HON. RALPH REGULA

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2004

  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a committed soldier 
and citizen from the 16th District of Ohio who died protecting our 
Nation. Private First Class Ryan Martin died when a bomb exploded while 
he was on a mine clearing mission with the 216th Engineering Battalion 
of the Ohio National Guard.
  A graduate of Mount Vernon High School and of the carpentry program 
at the Knox County Career Center in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Pfc. Martin 
enjoyed fishing and working on cars and had a tremendous sense of 
humor. After his tour, he planned to either operate heavy equipment or 
help his father on the family farm.
  Pfc. Ryan acted as vital part of his unit in Iraq, often volunteering 
for dangerous missions. His bravery and service were an inspiration to 
his fellow soldiers and to us all. Ryan embodied all that is great 
about our Nation. Without young men and women like him, our Nation 
would fall.
  I send my most heartfelt prayers and sympathies to his family and 
friends. I pray for the homecoming of all of our service men and women 
and remember them as they continue to defend our freedom at home and 
abroad.

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