[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 163 (Thursday, October 27, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN HONOR OF U.S. ARMY SERGEANT FIRST CLASS HOUSTON M. TAYLOR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 27, 2011

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Army 
Sergeant First Class Houston M. Taylor who was killed on October 13, 
2011 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. He was working in support of 
Operation Enduring Freedom while serving with Delta Company, 2nd 
Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division based at 
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Sergeant First Class Taylor was 
posthumously promoted to Sergeant First Class and awarded a Bronze Star 
and Purple Heart for his actions.
  Sergeant First Class Taylor was 25 years old, attended Azle High 
School, in Azle, Texas, and enlisted in the Army in 2005. His first 
assignment was to Fort Lewis, Washington, with Alpha Company, 1st 
Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Sergeant 
First Class Taylor deployed to Iraq in 2006 and 2008 before deploying 
to Afghanistan in early 2011. Sergeant Taylor was killed during his 
third combat tour. He leaves behind his high school sweetheart and 
wife, Kelsey Rae Taylor, and two young children, Rylan, and Avery.
  Sergeant First Class Taylor gallantly and selflessly gave his life in 
the service of his country when insurgents attacked his unit with small 
arms fire while they were on foot patrol in Afghanistan. Major Dave 
Eastburn, a spokesman for the brigade in which Sergeant First Class 
Taylor served, said Sergeant First Class Taylor ``was a warrior, a 
great leader, and will be truly missed.'' This affirmation only 
confirms what his family and friends already knew about Sergeant First 
Class Taylor. His mother knew from an early age that he was destined 
for the service and his wife said that ``he never complained about 
anything he had to do'' in the Army.
  I wish to extend my condolences to Sergeant First Class Taylor's 
wife, Kelsey Rae, his children, Rylan and Avery, his parents, and all 
of his family and friends. I hope they continue to find solace in his 
lasting impact on both this grateful nation and his fellow soldiers.

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