[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 165 (Monday, December 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE SACRIFICES OF MILITARY FAMILIES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Sunday, December 18, 2005

  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, in the coming weeks, 
American families will come together to celebrate the holidays and the 
start of a new year. Together, they will reflect on the events of 2005, 
and prepare for the challenges of the year ahead.
  Sadly, for many families, this season will be a difficult one, and I 
rise today to pay tribute to those American families whose lives have 
been personally impacted by ongoing military operations around the 
world.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer my deepest gratitude to the families of the men 
and women who are currently serving our nation overseas. I add my 
prayers for their safety and well being. And, I extend my humblest 
sympathies to the families of those brave soldiers who have made the 
ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country.
  In particular, I would like to take this opportunity to honor four 
American heroes and their families who reside in the Thirteenth 
Congressional District of Pennsylvania.
  Major Jeffrey Toczylowski, age 30, was killed during combat 
operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on November 3, 2005. He was a 
dedicated soldier who had asked loved ones to remember that, if he was 
killed in action, that he died doing something he believed in and that 
he had no regrets. My thoughts and prayers are with his family in 
Ambler, Jenkintown, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  Sergeant Francis Straub, Jr., age 24, and Specialist John Kulick, age 
35, were killed when a mine detonated and their unit received small 
arms fire while investigating a rocket-propelled grenade incident in 
Bayji, Iraq on August 9, 2005. Both of these men answered the call to 
serve--Sergeant Straub had dreams of becoming a Philadelphia Police 
Officer and Specialist Kulick was the most senior member of the 
Whitpain Fire Department. My thoughts and prayers are with their 
families, who live in Philadelphia, Jenkintown, and Dillsburg, 
Pennsylvania.
  Specialist Kurt Krout, age 43, was killed when an improvised 
explosive devise detonated near his military vehicle in Anaconda, Iraq 
on August 6, 2005. He was a committed soldier who joined the Marines at 
age 17. He had reenlisted as a member of the Pennsylvania National 
Guard in 1995, and volunteered for deployment to Iraq in June 2004. My 
thoughts and prayers are with his family in Lansdale and Spinnerstown, 
Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Speaker, during this holiday season, I know the dedication of 
these soldiers will be remembered by their family, friends, loved-ones, 
and the nation. And, I ask my colleagues, and all Americans, to join me 
in honoring their service and sacrifice for our nation.

                          ____________________