[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 63 (Monday, May 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN DAN UTLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRETT GUTHRIE

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2012

  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to report the tragic loss of a young 
man who was born and raised in Kentucky's second district.
  Captain Dan Utley, born in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1979, and who 
was raised and educated in Glasgow, Kentucky, before graduating from 
the University of Louisville, was killed in action while serving in the 
U.S. Army in Mali on April 20, 2012, while on a training mission to 
help the people of that country combat terrorism.
  Captain Utley was 33 years old. And I am told that in those 33 years 
he touched many lives with his intellect, his compassion, and his 
warmth. He was a sharp young man who, at every turn in his life, made 
the kind of selfless choices that define what it means to be an 
American hero. And make no mistake--Dan Utley and the members of 
America's Armed Forces who die defending our nation are indeed heroes. 
They put defending their country, their families, and our freedom ahead 
of their own lives.
  During his Army service, Captain Utley served in many posts, all of 
them challenging and proof of his skill and talent. His deployments 
included serving in South Korea for 24 months, in Kuwait for 12 months, 
in Afghanistan for 13 months, and in Mali for seven months. It was in 
that North African country that Captain Utley lost his life.
  A recent news article published by Reuters outlined the challenges 
facing Mali:

       Within weeks, Mali has plunged from being a sovereign 
     democracy to a fractured territory without a state, occupied 
     by competing rebel groups in the north while politicians and 
     coup leaders in the south jostle for control of the capital 
     Bamako.
       There is no sign the broken nation can be put back together 
     soon--raising concerns among neighbors and Western powers of 
     the emergence of a lawless ``rogue state'' exploited by al 
     Qaeda and criminals.
       ``We have never been in such a dire situation at any other 
     time in our history,'' said Mahmoud Dicko, influential head 
     of the Islamic High Council in the poor former French colony 
     once seen as a poster child for electoral democracy in West 
     Africa.

  Captain Utley was there because America is engaged in a worldwide 
fight against al Qaeda and other terrorist networks. His devotion to 
his country and to the less fortunate people of the third world took 
him to one of the most dangerous places on Earth. He made the ultimate 
sacrifice while serving the people of Mali and so that everyone back 
home can continue to enjoy freedom and safety. I am humbled every time 
I hear of one of these young men and women who have given their life so 
that their fellow citizens can enjoy their own life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness.
  Dan served with distinction during each of his missions. He served as 
a tactical communications platoon leader, an operations officer while 
in Kuwait, as aide-de-camp for the 160th Signal Brigade, and as a 
brigade civil affairs officer in the 101st Airborne. After completing a 
civil affairs qualifications course, Dan was assigned to F Company, 
91st Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) as a Team Leader.
  During the course of his service, Dan Utley won several awards and 
commendations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious 
Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service 
Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious 
Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan 
Campaign Medal with Combat Star, The Global War on Terrorism 
Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the 
Korean Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas 
Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal. Captain Utley also received the 
Basic Parachutist Badge and his Thailand Jump Wings.
  What I've been told about Dan Utley is what I think every parent 
ultimately wants for their children--that they grow up with a strong 
desire to serve their fellow man, their country, and their community. 
That they grow up with an incredible work ethic. That they grow up with 
compassion and a desire to make a difference.
  Dan Utley lived that kind of life, and I couldn't agree more with Dr. 
Gary Gregg, the Director of the McConnell Center at the University of 
Louisville where Captain Utley was a graduate, who lamented, ``America 
has lost one of its rising stars.'' And to my friend, the Senior 
Senator from Kentucky, Mitch McConnell, I offer my sympathy on the loss 
of one of the greatest McConnell Scholars who has passed through the 
wonderful program that he set up at the University of Louisville to 
nurture the next generation of leadership for our Commonwealth.
  Dan Utley is no longer with us, but he had already grown into a great 
leader, an American hero, and will forever serve as an example to 
others who seek positions of leadership. If every person who desires a 
chance to lead had the heart and values of Dan Utley, I imagine we 
would be living in a much better world.
  Today, I offer condolences to Captain Utley's widow, Captain Katie M. 
Utley, who we also thank for serving in America's military; to Captain 
Utley's father, Charles L. Utley; his mother, Linda H. Utley; his 
brother and sister-in-law, Charles L. Utley II and Maria; his brother 
and sister-in-law, Matthew R. Utley and Michelle; his nephews, Matthew 
Ryan Utley and Mason Robert Utley; his niece, Marleigh Rose Utley; his 
maternal grandmother, Pauline Haynes; his parents-in-law, Chris and 
Peggy Michael; his brother-in-law, Matthew Michael; and many other 
friends and family members.
  I am saddened by this loss, but heartened at the enduring courage of 
those who serve in America's Armed Forces. Kentucky is home to a great 
many families who have lost loved ones in the War on Terrorism and in 
previous conflicts in which our country has been engaged. We mourn 
always for their loss, and remain eternally grateful for their 
sacrifice.

                          ____________________