[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 128 (Tuesday, November 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN MEMORY OF ARMY 2ND LIEUTENANT JOHNNY CRAVER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 2006

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of Army 2nd Lieutenant 
Johnny Craver from the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for 
serving our country during Iraqi Freedom. Second Lt. Craver died Friday 
13, 2006 with two other soldiers south of Baghdad when a roadside bomb 
detonated next to the Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was commanding.
  I would like to recognize and celebrate Army 2nd Lieutenant Johnny 
Craver's life today. After a miraculous recovery from an automobile 
accident during his teenage years, 2nd Lt. Craver told his mother at 
the young age of 17 that he was going to join the armed forces. While 
serving as a Ranger and later, a Ranger instructor, 2nd Lt. Craver was 
stationed in Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington, DC, before being deployed 
to Iraq. He was 37 years old.
  In 2005, 2nd Lt. Carver trained for and participated in the 2005 Best 
Ranger Competition on TV. When his partner twisted an ankle climbing a 
steep hill, Craver never faltered, and carried his partner's 80-pound 
backpack, in addition to his own, to reach the top of the hill.
  A natural leader, 2nd Lt. Craver was near completion of his Master's 
degree in business administration. He leaves behind a loving wife, 
Natalie, and their three children, Savannah, Caelen, and Emma. When 
told he was a hero, 2nd Lt. Craver would always reply, ``I'm not a 
hero, I'm just doing my job.''
  It was my honor to represent Army 2nd Lieutenant Johnny Craver, and I 
extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. He will be 
deeply missed and his honorable service was greatly appreciated.

                          ____________________