[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 55 (Tuesday, May 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING LT. COLONEL RYAN YANTIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 9, 2006

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Lt. Colonel Ryan 
Yantis of the U.S. Army for his important contributions to service 
members and civilians alike in his capacity as Director, U.S. Army 
Public Affairs, Midwest.
  While Colonel Yantis has been helpful to me and my staff on countless 
occasions, his assistance with SPC Rene Douroux merits particular 
attention and gratitude.
  I had the opportunity to meet SPC Rene Douroux on September 13, 2005 
when he was in the middle of a 30-day leave from duties in Korea to his 
next assignment in Ft. Hood, Texas. Unable to go home to New Orleans in 
the wake of Hurricane Katrina, SPC Douroux was at an emergency facility 
set up in Chicago to assist those left homeless by the storm. SPC 
Douroux was distraught because he was unable to locate family members 
and had no idea whether his home was still standing. He was hoping to 
have some additional time to find his family, help settle them, and get 
his life in order.
  Lt. Colonel Yantis responded compassionately, effectively and 
immediately to SPC Douroux's plight. Not only did Colonel Yantis 
arrange for SPC Douroux to have more time, but he also arranged for a 
compassionate reassignment to Ft. Polk, Louisiana. Colonel Yantis 
helped reduce the trauma facing this young man and his family as they 
undertake the difficult tasks of rebuilding their lives in the wake of 
Hurricane Katrina.
  I offer my heartfelt thanks to Lt. Colonel Yantis for his service, 
and extend my best wishes to him in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________