[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING NAVY SEAL, SO2, RYAN JOB

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                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 14, 2009

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, it is with great remorse that I rise 
today to remember the life of Navy Seal, SO2, Ryan Job. Ryan joined the 
Navy in 2002 with the goal of joining the select Navy Special-
Operations Force, known as the SEALS. Ryan was eventually deployed to 
serve in Iraq in 2006. While on patrol in the city of Ramadi, Ryan was 
wounded in an assault, which resulted in the destruction of one of 
Ryan's eyes and severing the optic nerves of the other. This attack 
left Ryan entirely blind. After spending time in multiple military 
hospitals across the country, Ryan's stamina and determination allowed 
him to make a full recovery, and in 2007, he and his wife Kelly moved 
to my district and settled in North Scottsdale. There, he was able to 
complete his business degree, and landed a job with General Dynamics.
  Ryan was able to make this smooth transition back to a civilian life 
with the help of the non-profit Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship 
Foundation. This incredible organization is devoted to providing aid 
and support to injured men and women of the U.S. armed forces to help 
them realize their goals of returning back to their homes and becoming 
productive and active members of society. The Sentinels of Freedom 
helped Ryan to locate the condo he and his wife chose to live in, found 
him the job at General Dynamics, and also enrolled him in online 
classes to allow Ryan to finish his degree. In return, Ryan became a 
spokesman for the organization and an advocate for veterans, as he 
wanted to make sure that his fellow men and women in uniform would be 
able to make the same transition as he did.
  On September 24, 2009, Ryan underwent another surgery. However, this 
time, there were complications, and in an absolutely heart-breaking 
turn of events, our brave and inspiring friend Ryan Job passed away.
  Madam Speaker, I hope that you will join me in remembering and 
celebrating the life of Ryan Job. My thoughts are with Ryan's family 
and loved ones during this difficult time. Ryan is a hero to us all. He 
will be dearly missed, but he will never be forgotten.

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