[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 109 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2013

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                               speech of

                         HON. RICHARD B. NUGENT

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5856) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes:

  Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Chair, it is DoD policy that when a servicemember 
becomes a casualty, his remains are returned to the family as quickly 
as possible with the utmost respect and dignity.
  This policy was revised and mandated by Congress in 2008 when new 
requirements were established for transportation and honor guards for 
the remains of combat casualties.
  As a nation, we owe our fallen heroes and their families a debt that 
can never truly be repaid. The dignified transfer of a casualty is the 
least that we can do to honor the sacrifice paid by the men and women 
who volunteer to lay their life down in the defense of others.
  I am happy that this bill in front of us today fully funds the 
transportation and escort of these heroes, and want to thank the 
Chairman and the Ranking Member for continuing to make this a priority.
  I remember meeting with a family from my district last year whose 
son, Corporal Johnathan W. Taylor, gave his life defending our freedom 
on February 22, 2011 in Afghanistan.
  Now beside his fellow brothers in uniform, his parents, Mark and 
Deborah, have said that they were proud to have seen their son off on 
what they like to call his final tour of duty.
  This final tour of duty was important for his family, as well as his 
friends and fellow Marines.
  It was important because they all had the opportunity to see Corporal 
Taylor return home for the last time, with the honor and military 
escort he has so rightfully earned.
  Continuing to fully fund this important mission will allow other 
families, who have made the most difficult sacrifice imaginable, the 
opportunity to watch their children return home and laid to rest as a 
national hero.
  Army SPC Clarence Williams III will be laid to rest next Monday, on 
July 23, in the Florida National Cemetery. He was killed in action in 
Afghanistan last week.

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