[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S4537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                          Sergeant Rocky Payne

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, it is with heavy heart that I rise today to 
honor the life of SGT Rocky Payne, a soldier in the Army's 497th 
Transportation Group, who bravely gave his life in service to his 
country. Sergeant Rocky Payne, a native of Howell, UT, was killed on 
March 16, 2005, in an explosion created by a roadside bomb in the city 
of Baghdad. Sergeant Payne is a true hero who died defending his Nation 
and bringing freedom to an oppressed people.
  Sergeant Payne's dream of being a soldier was fulfilled when he 
joined the Marines at the age of 20, serving 4 years. Shortly after the 
end of his enlistment with the Marines he joined the Army and was again 
sent to Iraq, this time as a gunner protecting the supply convoys that 
make our operations in Iraq possible. In honor of his dedication and 
service he was posthumously advanced to the rank of sergeant.
  I have been told that as a young man SGT Payne exhibited an unusual 
ability to work with his hands. Old bicycles and electronics found new 
life under his determined resourcefulness. He restored an old rusty 
truck which hadn't run in years to working condition in only 2 days. 
Possessing the ability to play piano by ear, SGT Payne apparently could 
reconstruct a tune he had heard only once and play it on the piano. But 
it was when his hands were placed in the service of others that they 
did the most good. ``He was a good, good person,'' his brother is 
reported as saying. ``One of the kindest people you would ever come 
across.'' As a soldier SGT Payne fought bravely to ensure that the 
people of Iraq would one day enjoy freedom from oppression. ``He loved 
serving,'' said his father in one newspaper story. ``He honestly felt 
like he was helping the Iraqi people.''
  Sergeant Payne served his country with courage and honor and his loss 
is one that our entire country will share forever.

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