[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 131 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1969-E1970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE MEMORY OF ARMY STAFF SERGEANT OMER T. HAWKINS II OF ADAMS 
                      COUNTY, OH, WHO DIED IN IRAQ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2004

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Army 
Staff Sergeant Omer T. Hawkins II, a brave soldier who died Thursday, 
October 14, 2004 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. Sgt. Hawkins died when his military convoy was hit by a 
roadside explosive device.
  Sgt. Hawkins was from Cherry Fork, Ohio, in Adams County, an area I 
represent. He was, people have said, the epitome of an all around great 
guy--polite, intelligent, and outgoing. At 10 years old, he first told 
people he wanted to enlist in the Army. At North Adams

[[Page E1970]]

High School near Seaman, Ohio, Sgt. Hawkins was popular with his peers, 
and voted ``Most Likely to Succeed'' in his graduating class. An 
academic standout, he was active in citizenship and Ohio history 
competitions. He also served on the debate team and played basketball.
  After graduation in 1991, Sgt. Hawkins enlisted in the Army. He was a 
noncommissioned officer in the Army assigned to the 44th Engineer 
Battalion stationed in Camp Howze in Korea.
  Sgt. Hawkins was the son of Lisa Christman of Hillsboro, Ohio. His 
late father, William Hawkins, was an engineer in the Marines who passed 
away in 1977. Sgt. Hawkins is also survived by a sister, Cherry 
Hawkins, of Cincinnati. His younger brother, Sgt. James Hawkins, is in 
the Missouri National Guard and stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood in 
Missouri.
  There was a celebration of Sgt. Hawkins' life in Adams County, and he 
was buried next to his father at Locust Grove Cemetery in Peebles, 
Ohio. All of us in Southern Ohio are grateful for Sgt. Hawkins' service 
to our country, and express our deepest sympathy to his family and many 
friends.

                          ____________________