[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S12000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                      Staff Sergeant Robb Rolfing

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to SSG Robb Rolfing 
and his heroic service to our country. He was killed in action on June 
30, 2007, by enemy small arms fire while on a mission near Baghdad. 
Robb was a member of the elite Green Berets as a special forces 
engineer to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, 
Airborne, in Fort Carson, CO. Robb was on his second tour of duty when 
he was killed.
  Robb Lura Rolfing was born on December 4, 1977, to Rex and Margie 
Rolfing in Sioux Falls, SD. He grew up admiring ``MacGyver,'' prompting 
him to start carrying duct tape everywhere he went.
  Before Robb became a soldier, he attended Vassar College in 
Poughkeepsie, NY, majored in physics and astronomy, and played soccer. 
During his time as captain on the Vassar soccer team, he took the team 
to Vassar's first ever NCAA tournament postseason playoff, in any 
sport, where he scored the winning goal in the first round of games. To 
further demonstrate his talent as a soccer player, he was named to the 
NSCAA/Adidas All-Region Team and the All-New York Team. A Vassar 
basketball coach told the Rolfing family that he would often see Robb 
practicing soccer out on the field by himself in the morning and after 
regular scheduled practices. The coach said, ``If I had 5 Robb's we 
would win every game because of the determination and focus he 
showed.'' After college, he went to work in field management at Rollins 
College in Winter Park, FL, and then moved on to coach soccer at Currey 
College in Boston.
  Robb's mom Margie says that she has started a list called ``Amazing 
Robb.'' This list is a compilation of stories, thoughts, and 
recollections that the family has gathered from family and friends of 
Robb. Margie recalls one particular moment when Robb's sister, Tiffany, 
was about to graduate from high school. The family thought that he was 
still overseas during his first tour, but he showed up at home wearing 
a blanket of Tiffany's college over his head just standing at the door. 
The only way Tiffany recognized it was Robb was because of his shoes--
he had them duct taped because he refused to buy new shoes as the ones 
with duct tape were far too comfortable to throw away.
  Robb always wanted something more out of the life he was given. After 
the events of September 11, 2001, Robb's calling to help serve his 
country was jolted into action and he joined the Army in January of 
2003. He completed his basic training at Fort Benning, GA, and was 
assigned to the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell, KY. Shortly after 
returning from his first tour, he qualified and was accepted into the 
special forces unit where he became a Green Beret.
  Robb's good will and service touched the lives of many people. 
Although his life was cut short, he continues to inspire all those who 
knew him. Our Nation owes him a debt of gratitude, and the best way to 
honor his life is to emulate his commitment to our country.
  Mr. President, I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my 
deepest sympathy to the family of SSG Robb Rolfing. He will be missed, 
but his service to our Nation will never be forgotten.

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