[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 130 (Wednesday, September 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H10129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H10129]]
            ARMY SPECIALIST KAMISHA BLOCK--DAUGHTER OF TEXAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, small towns and rural America are historically 
notable and courageous for sending their young sons and daughters off 
to fight the wars of America. When volunteers are called for duty, it 
is these close, small communities that seem to always answer America's 
call to arms. When one of their number is killed in war, the entire 
community is emotionally affected.
  In southeast Texas, the small town of Vidor has lost one of its 
daughters of democracy. Army Specialist Kamisha Block was killed in 
Baghdad August 16, 2007, in the hot war for Iraq.
  Kamisha Block became the first female from southeast Texas to die in 
this war. She enlisted in 2005 at the age of 18 in the United States 
Army.
  Mr. Speaker, Kamisha volunteered for the Army when this country was 
at war, and she probably expected to be sent to the desert of the gun 
and the valley of the sun. She joined the Army right out of high 
school. Specialist Block was a military police officer, and eventually 
wanted to be in law enforcement with a career in the FBI or the CIA.
  She was assigned to the 401st Military Police Company, 720th Military 
Police Battalion and 89th Military Police Brigade out of Fort Hood, 
Texas.
  Kamisha and her best friend, Amanda Buck, grew up together. As Amanda 
says, we rode the school bus together from kindergarten all the way up 
through high school. Amanda said Kamisha knew where she was headed in 
life, had a big heart and genuinely wanted to help people.
  Specialist Block's death hit her family hard, and the whole community 
mourns for her. Her loss has not gone unnoticed. Let me explain.
  Local newspapers, the Examiner and the Beaumont Enterprise, carried 
numerous front-page stories about Block and her life. In this small 
town of Vidor, Texas, almost every business had posted a message for 
Block and words of support for her family on signs and placards.
  When Specialist Block was returned to Texas draped in the cloth of 
the red, white and blue, the funeral procession traveled through rural 
areas and small towns. The Patriot Guard led the procession with their 
75 motorcycles, many carrying large American flags. Next were the 
numerous police vehicles from the nearby communities.
  As the funeral proceeded, hundreds of teary-eyed people lined the 
streets of Beaumont, Texas and Vidor, Texas, removing their hats, 
placing their hands over their hearts, and waving American flags. Cars 
even pulled off the road and drivers stood out of their vehicles to pay 
honor and respect to this warrior. People came out of their homes and 
stood on their porches in honor of the dead.
  According to a local paper, The Examiner, Jamie Reynolds, a friend 
and coworker of Block's at the Waffle House in Vidor, said, ``It was so 
amazing. I had chills all up and down my arms. It was overwhelming.''
  Mr. Speaker, showing silent respect and tribute is what people do in 
southeast Texas when one of their kids is killed in war.
  People who knew Block from the Waffle House said that she was always 
happy with her bright eyes and endearing smile as she served waffles, 
eggs, and grits and a happy spirit.
  While Jerry and Jane Block, the parents of Kamisha, mourn the death 
and absence of their daughter, America owes them our gratitude and our 
patriotic appreciation.
  Specialist Kamisha Block while serving in Korea and Iraq was awarded 
several commendations. She was awarded the National Defense Service 
Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism 
Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, 
Operation Iraqi Freedom Service Ribbon, and the Bronze Star.
  Here is a photograph of Kamisha Block, not yet 21 years of age. She 
died at the age of 20. It has been said ``that how we yet live will 
echo throughout eternity.''
  Specialist Block showed in a mere 20 years the example of compassion, 
duty, determination, love of country, and love of God that will echo in 
her small town of Texas throughout eternity.
  Rare breed these women warriors who go to war for the rest of us.
  And that's just the way it is.

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