[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 95 (Thursday, July 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING SGT. LEIGH ANN HESTER, FIRST WOMAN AWARDED THE SILVER 
                     STAR MEDAL SINCE WORLD WAR II

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2005

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
U.S. Army Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, a recent recipient of the Silver Star 
Medal--the Army's third highest award for valor in combat.
  On June 16 in Iraq, 23-year-old Sgt. Hester became the first female 
soldier to be awarded the prestigious Silver Star Medal in more than 60 
years. At the awards ceremony at Camp Liberty, Sgt. Hester was 
recognized ``for exceptionally valorous achievement'' during Operation 
Iraqi Freedom.
  Sgt. Hester serves in the 617th Military Police Company, a National 
Guard unit from Kentucky, and was working in my hometown of Nashville 
when she was called to duty. Sgt. Hester comes from a family dedicated 
to serving our country and fighting for freedom on foreign soil. Her 
grandfather won a Bronze Star in World War II. Her uncle served 
valiantly in Vietnam. When asked about her service in Iraq and her 
Silver Star, Sgt. Hester told one newspaper that she was simply ``doing 
my job like any other soldier here.''
  On March 20th, while her unit was being ambushed by enemy fire and 
under counter attack, Sgt. Hester helped to thwart an insurgent assault 
against a convoy of 26 supply vehicles that were ambushed by about 50 
insurgents, southeast of Baghdad. According to an Army account, 
``[Sgt.] Hester led her team through the `kill zone' and into a 
flanking position, where she assaulted a trench line with grenades and 
M203 grenade-launcher rounds.'' Sgt. Hester killed at least three 
insurgents according to her award citation.
  We honor Sgt. Hester now because the ``job'' she chose to do on March 
20th was one so many Americans before her have also selflessly chosen: 
she put the lives of her fellow soldiers before her own. Her bravery 
distinguished her that day, just as her love of country and passion for 
freedom led her to join the National Guard in April of 2001.
  Sgt. Hester has said she is looking forward to the day when her 
service in Iraq will be complete. She is looking forward to spend time 
with family and friends and her hopes for a new career. Sgt. Hester 
wants to continue to protect the lives of others when she comes home. 
She plans to pursue a career in law enforcement, a goal she has had 
since she was a child.
  On behalf of the 5th District of Tennessee and the members of the 
House of Representatives, I thank Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester for her 
commitment to service--service to her country, her community and her 
fellow soldiers on the field of battle. I am honored to salute her 
today for her courage and her achievements. My thoughts and gratitude 
go out to her, her family and all of our men and women in combat who 
work to protect this Nation and bring peace to the world. And I look 
forward to the day when I can join with her friends and family in 
welcoming her back home.

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