[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6361-S6362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the 
life of Major Matthew Philip Houseal, from Amarillo, TX. Matthew was 54 
years old when he lost his life on May 11, 2009, from injuries 
sustained from a noncombat related incident in Baghdad, Iraq. He was a 
member of the 55th Medical Company, U.S. Army Reserve, Indianapolis, 
IN.
  Today, I join Matthew's family and friends in mourning his death. 
Matthew will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, son, 
and friend to many. He is survived by his wife Dr. Luzma Houseal; seven 
children, Teresa, Catherine, David, Isabel, Patrick, Monica and Kelly; 
his parents, William and Helen Houseal; eight siblings, Dr. Timothy 
Houseal and wife Leslie, U.S. Army Retired LTC Stephen Houseal and wife 
Julie, Joseph Houseal, Friar David Houseal, John Houseal and wife Gail, 
U.S. Air Force COL Anne T. Houseal and husband Paul Houser, Elizabeth 
Nightingale, and Maria Johnston and husband Jeff; 26 nieces and 
nephews; and a host of other friends and relatives.
  Matthew, a native of Washington, DC, grew up in St. Joseph, MI, and 
received a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and medical degree from 
the University of Michigan. He spent his surgical internship at Henry 
Ford Hospital and went through the Officers Training School in the U.S. 
Navy. He served his psychiatry residency at Texas Tech University in 
Lubbock, TX, and spent over a decade at the Texas Panhandle Mental 
Health Mental Retardation, where he was a beloved member of the staff. 
He joined the Army Reserve as a major in 2007.
  Matthew had many passions in life: known as a brilliant physician and 
an insatiable learner, Matthew held a private pilot license and was a 
certified flight instructor with more than 10,000 hours of flight time 
in different types of aircraft. His extraordinary accomplishments were 
only rivaled by his passion for his family, especially his seven 
children.
  While we struggle to express our sorrow over this loss, we can take 
pride in the example Matthew set as a soldier and as a father. Today 
and always, he will be remembered by family and friends as a true 
American hero, and we cherish the legacy of his service and his life.
  As I search for words to do justice to this valiant fallen soldier, I 
recall President Abraham Lincoln's words as he addressed the families 
of soldiers who died at Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot 
consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and 
dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power 
to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we 
say here, but it can never forget what they did here.'' This statement 
is just as true today as it was nearly 150 years ago, as we can take 
some measure of solace in knowing that Matthew's heroism and memory 
will outlive the record of the words here spoken.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of MAJ Matthew Philip Houseal in 
the official Record of the Senate for his service to this country and 
for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and peace. I pray 
that Gary's family can find comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah 
who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will 
wipe away tears from off all faces.''

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  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God be 
with all of you, as I know He is with Matthew.

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