[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 17, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H13012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT THOMAS CLAIBORNE, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

  (Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, there are many heroes who have 
served our Nation from the Sixth Congressional District of Colorado. 
Today I rise to pay tribute to one hero in particular. Marine Corps 
First Lieutenant Thomas Claiborne of Parker, Colorado. On October 29, 
2009, First Lieutenant Claiborne was lost when his Marine Super Cobra 
collided with a Coast Guard C-130 during an escort mission off the 
coast of California. The lives of the crew of both aircraft were lost 
in this tragic training accident.
  First Lieutenant Claiborne graduated from the University of Colorado 
magna cum laude on a full Navy ROTC scholarship in May 2006 with a 
degree in aerospace engineering and later earned his wings as a pilot 
in the United States Marine Corps. He is remembered as a fine young 
man, an outstanding student and a dedicated Marine Corps officer who 
had always dreamed of flying. First Lieutenant Thomas Claiborne was a 
shining example of the Marine Corps traditions. As a fellow marine, my 
deepest sympathies go out to his family and to all that knew him.

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