[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 108 (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO STAFF SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER SWANSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 2006

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the tragic death of a young soldier from Anne 
Arundel County, Maryland, who gave the ultimate measure of sacrifice in 
the global war on terror, saddens all of us. As we continue to fight 
this war, the loss of each and every service member is a tragedy.
  Anne Arundel County, the state of Maryland, and our Nation lost a 
great hero when Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Swanson of Rose Haven 
was killed in Anbar on July 22.
  More than 50 of Maryland's bravest have now died in the war in Iraq.
  Christopher Swanson was completely dedicated to protecting his fellow 
troops. He wrote on his personal website, ``I would do anything for 
them even if it means giving my life to save theirs.''
  Swanson was highly regarded in his family and community. As a 
teenager, he traveled on mission trips with members of the First 
Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, providing the hope of a better life 
to gang members in West Virginia and Ohio.
  He was the captain of his soccer team at Southern High School, where 
faculty remembered a ``happy go-lucky kid that was always lending a 
hand.''
  In August of 1999, Sergeant Swanson enlisted in the Army, even as 
others tried to talk him out of it. He served in Kosovo as a member of 
the 82nd Airborne Division, and was part of the initial assault on Iraq 
in March of 2003, the first of three tours.
  Sergeant Swanson was awarded two purple hearts, one after being 
injured by an improvised explosive device just weeks before he was 
killed. He persevered, telling his brother Kenneth that he would not be 
sidelined.
  Christopher Swanson gave his life for all of us. As his 
representative in Congress, I am grateful for his patriotism and his 
sacrifice. The Fifth District of Maryland and all Americans join the 
Swanson family in mourning the loss of this fine young man, a real 
hero.

                          ____________________