[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 161 (Friday, October 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF U.S. NAVY PETTY OFFICER MATTHEW J. 
                                O'BRYANT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 3, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to 
remember the life and courageous service of United States Navy Petty 
Officer Third Class Matthew J. O'Byrant.
  Petty Officer O'Byrant was killed in a terrorist attack at the 
Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, a cowardly act that claimed the 
lives of 53 people including two members of our country's armed forces. 
Matthew was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 
Islamabad.
  A native of Theodore, AL, Matthew O'Bryant excelled in the ROTC 
program at Theodore High School and was assigned to Navy Information 
Operations Command at Fort Meade, MD, as a cryptologic technician.
  As a cryptologic technician, Petty Officer O'Bryant was in charge of 
maintaining the advanced communications and technological equipment so 
vital to America's success in 21st century warfare.
  Petty Officer O'Bryant's brother, along with two of his cousins, had 
enlisted to serve in the Navy. Coming from a Navy family, Petty Officer 
O'Bryant was deployed to Pakistan for only 30 days before the blast 
that took his life. At his funeral, Matthew's brother, Lawrence, 
remembered him by saying, ``There were four of us in the Navy. Well, 
there's three of us now. I guess there will always be four of us 
because he will always be in the Navy.''
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to take a moment to reflect upon 
the many things that have helped to make this the greatest country on 
the face of the planet. And to that end, we must acknowledge that 
soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines like Petty Officer O'Bryant 
deserve the highest praise for their unselfish service and, in this 
particular case, for their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice.
  Madam Speaker, I hope you and my colleagues will join me in paying 
tribute to Petty Officer Matthew O'Bryant. We should also remember his 
wife, Bridgett O'Bryant; his parents, Barbara and Tommy O'Bryant; his 
two sisters, Janet O'Bryant and Nancy O'Bryant; his brother, Lawrence 
O'Bryant; and his other relatives and many friends.
  Our prayer is that God will give them all the strength and courage 
that only He can provide to sustain them during the difficult days 
ahead.
  May Matthew rest in peace. He was without question a true American 
hero.

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