[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H5987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE DEATH OF SPECIALIST MICHAEL YATES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Kratovil) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KRATOVIL. Madam Speaker, today a native of Maryland's Eastern 
Shore, Specialist Michael Yates, was laid to rest. Specialist Yates, of 
Federalsburg, was killed in a senseless act of violence that should 
serve to shine a brighter light on the mental health of those serving 
our Nation. Specialist Yates, along with four colleagues, reportedly 
was shot and killed by a fellow serviceman on duty in support of 
Operation Iraqi Freedom at Camp Liberty in Baghdad.
  Growing up on the Eastern Shore, Specialist Yates was an avid hunter 
and fisherman and like many of my constituents held a deep love for his 
country and a desire to serve in defense of freedom. At the young age 
of 17, Specialist Yates joined the Army where he was sent to Ft. Knox, 
Germany, and then to Iraq, where he served as a calvary scout.
  Specialist Yates had recently returned to Federalsburg where he was 
able to visit with family and friends one last time before returning to 
Iraq and ultimately to a counseling center at Camp Liberty. It was here 
that a fellow soldier whom he had reportedly described to his step-
father as ``a fairly decent guy who had some major issues,'' shot and 
killed Specialist Yates.
  The death of Specialist Yates and his fellow soldiers must serve as a 
warning sign that the time is now, especially with an influx of 
returning veterans to make soldiers' and veterans' mental health a 
priority and heed Secretary Gates' recommendation to support funding 
for traumatic brain injury and psychological health exams for our 
servicemen and -women. Honoring our commitment to those who serve our 
Nation means offering them not only top-notch medical care for physical 
injuries, but also first-rate mental health services to help fight the 
alarming rising trend of suicide and mental illness among veterans.
  Honoring our commitment means more than waving our banners and flags 
at parades. It means putting our money where our collective mouth is. 
We owe this to Specialist Yates, as well as the friends and families of 
those involved in this tragic event.
  I have introduced a resolution along with fellow colleagues from both 
sides of the aisle who lost constituents in this incident honoring 
their service and calling for a greater focus on mental health issues 
among servicemen and veterans. I urge my colleagues to sign on and 
support this resolution when it reaches the floor.

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