[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 53 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO ERIC KING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BAIRD

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2006

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a fallen soldier from my 
district. Army Specialist Eric King of Vancouver, Washington, was 
killed in Baghdad on April 22. He was 29 years old. Specialist King 
leaves behind his wife, Tracie, and daughters Ashlin and Shealyn, who 
will remember their father and husband's love of laughter, fishing, and 
the Northwest. His death is a tragedy not only for this family but for 
our community. On April 22, Specialist King was driving the lead Humvee 
in a convoy patrolling a Baghdad neighborhood when a roadside bomb 
exploded and killed King and his three comrades in the vehicle.
  The Army awarded King the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good 
Conduct Medal, National Defense Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service 
Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and Army Service Medal.
  Specialist King was born in Florida and moved to Vancouver in 1996. 
He left a union job as a truck driver in Portland to enlist in 2004. He 
was assigned to the First Squadron, 67th Armored Battalion in Baghdad.
  My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. King's family, and with the 
families and loved ones of all our nation's fallen heroes. Let this 
stand as a solemn reminder of just how many brave men and women have 
made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives for our country.

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