[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 176 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING SEAN RAY FERGUSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DEVIN NUNES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2011

  Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to 
Sean Ray Ferguson, who at the age of 29 passed away on November 12, 
2011, in Baghdad, Iraq.
  Sean was born on July 7, 1982, in San Diego, California to Darryl and 
Raelynn Ferguson. He was a 2001 graduate of Mt. Whitney High School in 
Visalia. During Sean's time at Mt. Whitney High, he was a standout 
player on the football team. He was playing wide receiver his senior 
year when Mt. Whitney High won the ``Cowhide'' game against Redwood 
High for the first time in 10 years.
  Two months after graduating high school, Sean enlisted in the United 
States Army, honorably serving our country for eight years, and 
retiring at the rank of Staff Sergeant due to combat wounds. In 
addition to two Purple Hearts, one of which was presented to Sean 
directly by former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, he also 
received many awards and commendations for his service in Iraq with 
unit ``Deuce Four.''
  After retirement, Sean began working for Triple Canopy, a private 
contracting company, working as a personal security agent for members 
of the U.S. State Department. His job required him to return to Iraq, 
where he was working at the time of his death.
  Sean's family recalls his great love for America and freedom. He was 
fully engaged in our mission of bringing freedom and democracy to the 
Iraqi people. Sean was proud to be in Mosul, Iraq, when the first 
elections were held after the fall of Saddam Hussein. His favorite 
quote was ``Freedom isn't free,'' and he had a deep understanding of 
the hard and difficult work it takes to be free.
  Sean is survived by his parents; his sister, Aimee Sorensen; and his 
brother, Matthew Ferguson. He is also survived by seven nephews, one 
niece, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was a member of 
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  At this time of great sorrow, I hope that Sean's family can take 
comfort in knowing that we will forever be indebted to his service to 
our country.

                          ____________________