[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 4, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H6520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1210
          HONORING THE LIFE OF MARINE CAPTAIN THOMAS HEITMANN

  (Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in 
honor of Captain Thomas Heitmann, a marine from Mendota, Illinois, who 
faithfully served our country. He was killed on September 19, 2011, at 
the age of 27, in a helicopter crash at Camp Pendleton, California.
  Captain Heitmann was one of six children. His parents sent their son 
to Holy Cross School, and he graduated in 2002 from St. Bede Academy in 
Peru. He is remembered throughout the community as a truly outstanding 
person. He was known by his family, friends, former coaches, and 
teammates as ``the all-American boy,'' ``the star athlete,'' ``a kind, 
supportive and good friend,'' and a ``gentleman to all.''
  Captain Heitmann was brought up with a strong set of core values. He 
worked hard and understood the importance of his family and his 
friends, and he truly cherished the time that he spent with them. 
Captain Heitmann's passion was to fly. One of his former coaches said: 
``It was a dream come true for him to fly for the Marines and be a 
pilot.'' I understand that dream.
  Captain Heitmann is a true patriot and displayed the love for his 
country that separates the people of our great Nation from any other in 
the world. Our men and women in the military, like Captain Heitmann, 
work tirelessly to protect our country. Their sacrifice is the reason 
for our liberty. While he will be sorely missed, it's because of his 
commitment and that of people like him that we can stand before you in 
a Chamber like this today.
  God bless Captain Heitmann's service, and God bless his family.

                          ____________________