[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 131 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11358-S11359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                    specialist james c. kearney, iii

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Emerson, 
IA native Spc. James C. Kearney, III, who lost his life when the 
military vehicle he was traveling in was struck by a rocket-propelled 
grenade and small arms fire near Sharan, Afghanistan. Spc. Kearney was 
assigned to the Iowa Army National Guard Company B, 1st Battalion, 
168th Infantry, Air Assault, based in Shenandoah, IA. Spc. Kearney 
enlisted as an infantryman in 1999 and was mobilized for Operation 
Enduring Freedom in March 2004. My prayers go out to James's mother and 
father, Theresa and James Kearney, Jr., as well as his brothers and 
sister.
  In paying tribute to Spc. Kearney, we recognize the efforts of an 
extraordinary young man who worked to make the world a safer place. The 
Rev. Ken Gross, a friend of James, describes him as ``. . . a person of 
character with great determination. He was adventurous, fearless and 
enjoyed taking risks.'' Spc. Kearney will always be remembered for the 
good work that he did for his community and for his country. As a 
soldier and patriot, Spc.

[[Page S11359]]

James C. Kearney, III has given us a model of true dedication and 
virtue.


                      Specialist Raymond L. White

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from Elwood, 
IN. Specialist Raymond L. White, 22 years old, died on November 12 
during an ambush in Baghdad, Iraq. Choosing not to hide within the 
safety of the armored Humvee in which he was riding, Raymond returned 
fire. During this selfless attempt to protect other members of his 
company, Raymond was shot. With his entire life before him, Raymond 
risked everything to fight for the values Americans hold close to our 
hearts, in a land halfway around the world.
  A 2001 graduate of Frankton Junior-Senior High School, Raymond went 
on to attend the New Mexico Military Institute for 2 years before 
following a long-standing family tradition of joining the military. 
According to friends and loved ones, Raymond was pleased to follow in 
the footsteps of his father, uncle and great-uncle. His mother Sharon 
recalled to the Indianapolis Star a time when she asked Raymond why he 
wanted to go to Iraq. He responded simply, ``Well, Mom, it's my 
patriotic duty.''
  Raymond was the thirty-sixth Hoosier soldier to be killed while 
serving his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the 
1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. This brave young 
soldier leaves behind his parents, Sharon and Henry White and his 
brothers, Henry, Daniel and Jessie.
  Today, I join Raymond's family, his friends and the entire Elwood 
community in mourning his death. While we struggle to bear our sorrow 
over this loss, we can also take pride in the example he set, bravely 
fighting to make the world a safer place. It is his courage and 
strength of character that people will remember when they think of 
Raymond, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing days 
of conflict and grief.
  Raymond was known for his dedication to family and his love of 
country. When looking back on Raymond's life, family friend Don Cox 
told the Indianapolis Star that ``He grew up to be a very fine young 
man.'' His father, Henry, recounted to the Indianapolis Star the 
description of Raymond's heroic efforts that he received from his 
commander, highlighting the fact that his son had died in the same 
fashion in which he had lived. ``He always put others first,'' Henry 
said. Today and always, Raymond will be remembered by family members, 
friends and fellow Hoosiers as a true American hero and we honor the 
sacrifice he made while dutifully serving his country.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Raymond's sacrifice, 
I am reminded of President Lincoln's remarks as he addressed the 
families of the fallen soldiers in Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we 
cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living 
and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor 
power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember 
what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.'' This 
statement is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years ago, as I am 
certain that the impact of Raymond's actions will live on far longer 
than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Raymond L. White in the 
official record of the United States Senate for his service to this 
country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and 
peace. When I think about this just cause in which we are engaged, and 
the unfortunate pain that comes with the loss of our heroes, I hope 
that families like Raymond's can find comfort in the words of the 
prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the 
Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.''
  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be 
with all of you, as I know He is with Raymond.

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