[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 96 (Friday, July 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING SPC CHRISTOPHER LEE HOSKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB SIMMONS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2005

  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise the service and 
sacrifice of a brave young soldier from my district, SPC Christopher 
Lee Hoskins, who gave his life in the cause of freedom and democracy in 
Iraq. I also pay tribute to SPC Hoskins' family, who raised this fine 
young man in an environment of loving care and who supported his 
decision to serve his country in uniform in Iraq.
  On June 21, Army SPC Christopher Hoskins, of Killingly, Connecticut, 
was killed in Ramadi, Iraq, after his unit came under small arms fire 
west of Baghdad. The death of SPC Hoskins, who was a member of the 
Army's 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 
2nd Infantry Division, marked the 25th death of a Connecticut soldier 
in the war in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
  SPC Hoskins was 21 years old. He, along with so many other fine young 
men and women from across our Nation, was serving America and the cause 
of freedom by fighting terrorism and helping to bring stability to a 
part of the world that for far too long has known mainly violence and 
misery.
  SPC Hoskins graduated from Killingly High School in 2001. He enlisted 
in the Army in 2003. He had recently re-enlisted for another four 
years.
  In many ways, SPC Hoskins was typical of most American youths. His 
friends recalled that he was generous and polite; he enjoyed listening 
to Metallica; he played chess and was a member of his high school 
wrestling team; he enjoyed painting and he worked the cameras at school 
plays.
  And in many ways he was typical of the men and women who preceded him 
as members of our Nation's armed forces. This was a young man who 
wanted to serve a cause larger than himself.
  This was a young man who did not have to place himself in harm's way 
but volunteered to do so in service to our Nation, our people and the 
way of life that we treasure. America is a better place because of 
young men like Army SPC Christopher Hoskins.
  We cannot repay the debt we owe Christopher Hoskins; we can only 
honor him and his family. And we do.
  Memorial Day was set aside as the day when Americans remember those 
who left their homes, families and jobs to defend our Nation--and never 
returned. But our men and women in uniform defend freedom every day, 
and every day there are those who pay the ultimate price for their 
selflessness. It would be highly appropriate if we took a moment out of 
every day to honor and remember the men and women who stand between 
America and those who would do her harm.
  Today, July 14, 2005 SPC Hoskins was interred at Arlington National 
Cemetery overlooking Washington, D.C. with full military honors. He 
will posthumously receive a Purple Heart for his wounds and a Bronze 
Star for his valor. SPC Hoskins will rest in good company, among others 
who answered the call to duty, honor and country.
  We pray that the service and sacrifice of SPC Hoskins will remind us 
of the high cost which is paid by those who love our freedom, who 
believe in our democracy and who give their best to defend the best 
Nation on Earth. May God rest his soul.

                          ____________________