[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 129 (Thursday, September 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1726-E1727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE OF MIDSHIPMAN JEFFREY WARREN MASCUNANA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2010

  Mr. KINGSTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Jeffrey Warren 
Mascunana, a hero and dedicated servant to his Lord and our nation. 
Jeff was born at the Tuttle Army Health Clinic on Hunter Army Airfield, 
Savannah, Georgia on December 8, 1969, to Chief Warrant Officer George 
Mascunana and his wife Rose. Jeff descended from Cuban immigrants and 
his great-grandfather help found one of the oldest Spanish-English 
newspapers in the United States, ``La Gaceta,'' in Tampa, Florida. His 
father, George, served two tours of duty in Korea.
  Jeff attended St. James Catholic School, then Benedictine Military 
School in Savannah. His family actively served as members of St. 
Francis Cabrini Catholic Church. At Benedictine, Jeff participated in 
many sports, including football, basketball and track & field where he 
excelled in many events. Jeff was not a starter on the football team, 
but was often heard to say ``At least I'm on the field and not in the 
stands,'' indicative of his desire to not be an observer in life. All 
of his friends and classmates remember his wide smile and devious sense 
of humor.
  At Benedictine Jeff also served four years in the school's Reserve 
Officer Training Corps program, attaining the rank of Cadet Captain. He 
graduated in 1988.
  Upon graduation, Jeff harbored a desire to serve his country in the 
United States Navy. Through perseverance, he obtained entrance to the 
Boost program, and an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, 
class of 1993.
  At Annapolis, in the 23rd Company, Jeff found his home. He trained to 
be a Surface Warfare Officer, working towards his degree in Political 
Science. He competed on the rowing team, as well as track & field. His 
classmates remember him as the friend who would help them all through 
the tough times inherent in such a rigorous setting. On weekends, he 
seemed to be on yard restriction as often as not. Undaunted, Jeff would 
organize groups to visit those midshipmen and active duty personnel 
whose duties required that they remain on post, offering light-hearted 
moments and friendship to his fellow classmates. He also worked with a 
local church, helping to organize a support group for women victimized 
by abuse. Indicative of Jeff's love for Annapolis, he wanted to carry a 
piece of it with him at all times. When the time came to design his 
USNA class ring, Jeff broke with the tradition of choosing a precious 
stone for the design. Instead, he found a loose piece of marble in the 
dormitory, Bancroft Hall, and had part of that stone fitted to his 
ring. The remaining piece of marble hangs around his mother's neck in a 
beautiful pendant. Jeff's ring now occupies a place of honor in the 
Ring Bank in the United States Naval Academy Museum, the repository for 
the class ring of each class' first deceased member.
  In the early morning hours of May 26, 1993, just a few hours prior to 
graduation, Midshipman Jeff Mascunana lost his life while trying to 
summon help for Ms. Julie Ann Mace. Ms. Mace, his date for the 
evening's graduation ball, was injured and tragically died as the 
result of an automobile crash. Jeff died a hero, unselfishly trying to 
help another.
  At Jeff's Naval Academy graduation later that day, his chair sat 
empty, his class one sailor short. His family, proudly assembled to see 
Jeff's greatest achievement, instead joined his class to mourn the loss 
of their son, grandson, brother and friend. His friends and

[[Page E1727]]

family buried Jeff in his Navy dress whites a few days later in 
Savannah.
  While Jeff completed his academic requirements to obtain his degree 
from the Naval Academy, unfortunately he never received his commission 
as an ensign even though he was mere hours away from realizing that 
lifelong goal. While a posthumous commission would be fitting, the Navy 
could find no provision for doing so.
  Later this fall, Jeff Mascunana's classmates from the Benedictine 
Military School class of 1988 shall gather to dedicate a memorial in 
his honor. Further, a scholarship fund will be established in his name. 
The scholarship shall be awarded to a young Benedictine Cadet, enabling 
him to attend the Benedictine Military School that helped make Jeff 
Mascunana the hero that he was.
  Jeff learned the values that made him such a great man from his 
parents and from his education. I would like to recognize Benedictine 
Military School, an institution that has molded leaders since its 
founding in 1902 in Savannah, Georgia. For over 100 years, the priests, 
faculty and military personnel have educated young men in the Judeo-
Christian tradition of academic excellence, good moral living, respect 
for authority, and love of country. On these principles, Benedictine 
builds men of virtue and integrity, ready to serve their faith, their 
community, and their country.

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