[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 109 (Wednesday, July 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING CORPORAL FRANK GROSS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 20, 2011

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, 
sacrifice, and heroism of Army Corporal Frank Gross, of Oldsmar, 
Florida.
  CPL Gross, a member of the 38th Cavalry Regiment, lost his life on 
July 16th in Khost, Afghanistan, when the vehicle he was riding in was 
struck by an improvised explosive device.
  As Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I 
constantly find myself in awe of the sacrifices and efforts that are 
made on behalf of our great country by the men and women who have worn 
the uniform of our Armed Services. CPL Gross personified this 
dedication by postponing a bright career to enlist in the United States 
Army and follow in the footsteps of his grandfathers into military 
service.
  Outside of the Army, Frank was an outstanding baseball player who 
attended college on a baseball scholarship. Off of the baseball 
diamond, CPL Gross demonstrated a talented artistic ability and 
ultimately earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Full Sail 
University in digital arts and entertainment business.
  Mr. Speaker, though proud to have such a fine example from the Tampa 
Bay community, it is with great remorse that I rise to commemorate the 
life of CPL Gross. As I stated, I am in awe of the young men and women, 
such as Frank Gross, who choose to serve alongside their countrymen in 
our military. As professionals in all that they do, they exhibit honor, 
courage, and commitment in every pursuit. Their sacrifices, such as 
that made by CPL Gross, will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________