[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 120 (Wednesday, September 29, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO LCPL STEVEN CHARLES TYLER CATES OF MT. JULIET, TN, WHO GAVE 
                   HIS LIFE IN SERVICE TO HIS NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2004

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, the tragic events of September 11, 2001 will 
never in the history of our nation be forgotten. While much of the 
country stood paralyzed by shock and grief, the horrifying events of 
that day were, for others, a call to action. One of those who heeded 
this call was LCpl Steven Charles Tyler Cates of Mt. Juliet, TN. Just 
eight days after September 11th, Tyler Cates walked into his local 
military recruiting office and said he was there to serve. He became a 
Marine.
  Long before that day, Tyler's belief in service to others had marked 
his life. An Eagle Scout, his family said he had always reached out to 
those around him when they needed some support. ``He was a true Boy 
Scout,'' his stepfather, Philip Shaw told a reporter from the 
Tennessean last week. ``He was trustworthy; he'd go an extra mile for 
his friends.''
  I am honored today to pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery and 
patriotism of this selfless young man. Lance Corporal Cates died in 
service to his country in Western Iraq last week. He was fighting to 
help those he recognized as less fortunate than himself, fighting to 
bring the freedom and liberty that he so treasured to others so far 
from his home in Middle Tennessee.
  His mother said it was simply his nature to serve. When Tyler told 
her he had joined the Marines, Patricia Shaw said she was worried but 
not surprised. ``He said, `I need to do this, Mom,' '' Mrs. Shaw said. 
``That boy brought such patriotism into my life like no one else. He 
touched everybody he came in contact with because of his charisma. He 
had a good heart.''
  His father, Steve Cates, described Tyler as his pal, his best friend 
and an inspiring patriot. ``He loved America. He wanted to defend his 
country and wanted to go over and give them what we have.''
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise here in the U.S. Capitol--the symbol of 
freedom to so many around the world--to salute Lance Corporal Cates for 
his dedication to all this building and this country stand for. Even 
standing here, in this great chamber, nothing we say or do can 
adequately thank Tyler and his family for the sacrifice he made. My 
heart goes out to his wife Lisa, his mother and stepfather, his father, 
brother, three sisters and grandparents. He will be missed by each of 
them, as well as his many friends in Mt. Juliet and Middle Tennessee. 
Yet his sacrifice and love of country will not be forgotten. It will 
live on, inspiring us to recognize and protect the liberty that Tyler 
believed in, and each of us holds so dear.

                          ____________________