[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 143 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S5932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE SERVICE OF SERGEANT FIRST CLASS LEROY ARTHUR PETRY

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
the Armed Services Committee be discharged from further consideration 
of S. Con. Res. 27 and the Senate proceed to its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the concurrent resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 27) honoring the 
     service of Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry, a native 
     of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the second living recipient of 
     the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and any statements related to the concurrent resolution be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 27) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 27

       Whereas Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry of the 
     United States Army, a native of Santa Fe, New Mexico, was 
     awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama on July 12, 
     2011;
       Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest honor awarded to 
     members of the Armed Forces for valor in combat;
       Whereas the official citation awarding the Medal of Honor 
     to Sergeant First Class Petry states that then-Staff Sergeant 
     Petry ``distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and 
     intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call 
     of duty in action with an armed enemy in the vicinity of 
     Paktya Province, Afghanistan, on May 26, 2008'';
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry joins an elite group of 
     Medal of Honor recipients dating back to the Civil War;
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry has continued a long 
     tradition of military service to the United States by New 
     Mexicans, dating back to the defense of the Western United 
     States during the Civil War, and followed by participation in 
     every major war fought by the United States;
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry is the second living 
     recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War;
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry fought with bravery and, 
     despite wounds to both of his legs, had the courage and quick 
     thinking needed to save the lives of his fellow soldiers by 
     throwing back an enemy grenade and losing his right hand when 
     the grenade detonated shortly after he released it;
       Whereas the actions of Sergeant First Class Petry represent 
     the highest values of the Army, the Rangers, and the United 
     States;
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry has consistently 
     demonstrated humility and dedication to his fellow soldiers;
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry, who overcame a troubled 
     youth and found the strength to turn his life around and 
     dedicate himself to serving the United States, is an example 
     to all people who are struggling in the United States; and
       Whereas the brave actions of Sergeant First Class Petry, as 
     well as his modesty and selfless service, stand as the 
     embodiment of the best attributes of the people of the United 
     States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) honors the service and sacrifice of Sergeant First 
     Class Leroy Arthur Petry of the United States Army and his 
     family; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to recognize 
     the valor, heroism, and dedication to the United States 
     exhibited by Sergeant First Class Petry.

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