[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 126 (Monday, September 20, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S7199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     FIRST LIEUTENANT MARK NOZISKA

  Mr. President, I also rise today to honor an American hero 1LT Mark 
Noziska of Papillion, NE.
  First Lieutenant Noziska vowed to follow in his grandfather's 
footsteps by joining the Army after the attacks of September 11, 2001. 
He graduated from Papillion High School in 2004 and enlisted in the 
Nebraska Army National Guard. In 2005 he was named Soldier of the Year. 
While serving in the Guard, Lieutenant Noziska went on to get a degree 
in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska--Omaha.
  After earning his degree, Lieutenant Noziska joined the active Army 
and became an officer serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 22nd 
Infantry out of Fort Carson, CO. Lieutenant Noziska was about a month 
into his tour of duty in Afghanistan when his dream of eventually 
earning the rank of general was cut short by an improvised explosive 
device as he was serving as part of a dismounted patrol conducting 
clearance operations.
  The life and service of 1LT Mark Noziska represents an example we can 
all look up to and seek to emulate. He served his country honorably and 
made the ultimate sacrifice. Lieutenant Noziska made the most of his 
short life, and the greatest tragedy is that now it is impossible to 
know what more this promising young man might have accomplished. I join 
all Nebraskans, indeed all Americans, in mourning the loss of 
Lieutenant Noziska and in offering my deepest condolences to this young 
hero's family and friends.

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