[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN MEMORY OF PETTY OFFICER JOSHUA T. HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
the life and memory of former Petty Officer First Class Joshua T. 
Harris, who was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan last 
week. Joshua was a native of Lexington, North Carolina, and was 
deployed to Afghanistan from an assignment at the Naval Special Warfare 
Development Group in Dam Neck, Virginia.
  Joshua graduated from Lexington Senior High School where he 
distinguished himself as an outstanding linebacker earning both all-
county and all-conference honors. He enrolled in Davison College in 
Davison, North Carolina, where he studied studio art before pursuing 
graduate studies in architecture at the University of North Carolina.
  After enlisting in the Navy on August 23, 2000, Joshua attended Navy 
SEAL training in California.
  Joshua Harris is survived by his mother Evelyn, his father Sam, his 
twin sister Mary-Maria Kirstin and his older brother, Sam Ranchor. He 
will always be remembered by his family and friends as a competitive 
athlete with a passion or art and design.
  I would like to share with my colleges a poem penned by Albert Carey 
Caswell in memory of Petty Officer First Class Joshua Harris, 
recognizing his heroism and sacrifice to America. The poem titled 
``Thou Art'' reads as follows:

                                Thou Art

     A thing of Beauty . . .
     A sheer work of art . . .
     Can only come but from deep inside one's heart . . .
     From only deep down inside one's soul . . .
     All in the brush strokes of a lifetime so . . .
     All on the canvass of a life behold . . .
     To all hearts and minds, and souls . . .
     A thing of faith and courage, so!
     A thing of beauty . . .
     A work of art . . .
     To warm all hearts as we grow old . . .
     As was your fine life Josh, so . . .
     All in courage's quote . . .
     All in the seeds of freedom you so sowed . . .
     As left behind, to all hearts which spoke . . .
     All upon your fine canvass of life as lies such hope . . .
     Which but means the very most . . .
     That so touches all of our hearts and souls . . .
     Is but your fine portrait of life, that which you so wrote!
     Painted, all there by your oh so magnificent heart of gold . 
           . .
     All in this your Honor's Code . . .
     Is but left a fine reflection of your very soul!
     Bringing Light!
     Bringing Hope!
     As in the darkest days of war you fought . . .
     Such a thing of beauty Joshua, as you Thou Art!
     Are but the colors of your heart . . .
     All in this your life's design!
     Reminds us all, how against all odds your courage climbed . . 
           .
     As against the darkest of all evil's you so shined . . .
     All in your Seal of Honor burning bright . . .
     To win that day, that night!
     Shining, all in your most sacrificial light . . .
     Burning bold, burning bright . . . blessing all of us here 
           this night!
     For Joshua, how so you lived and died . . .
     Brings such tears, even to The Angels eyes!
     As so surely, it was but Heaven Joshua you'd find!
     As we gaze upon this Masterpiece, all in the life you so left 
           behind!
     Mount Up Seal . . . Your new battle has begun . . .
     It's your new war to be won!
     All as an Angel in The Army of Our Lord, my son!
     Now with wings of courage full . . .
     A thing of beauty . . .
     A work of art . . .
     Joshua, my most magnificent of all sons . . .
     You are Thou Art!
     Amen. . . .

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