[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 23, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H6691-H6692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING STAFF SERGEANT JOSHUA BOWDEN OF VILLA RICA, GEORGIA

  (Mr. CRAWFORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, in August, the explosive ordnance disposal 
community lost one of its best and brightest. Staff Sergeant Joshua 
Bowden of Villa Rica, Georgia, was killed in action on August 31, 2013, 
at the age of 28, while serving his country in Afghanistan.
  Staff Sergeant Bowden joined the United States Army in 2005 and was 
on his second deployment to Afghanistan. His awards included the Joint 
Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Purple Heart, Joint Defense 
Meritorious Service Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Senior 
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Air 
Assault Badge.
  As cochairman of the House EOD Caucus, along with Congresswoman Susan 
Davis, I was honored to meet Staff Sergeant Bowden in 2011 during our 
caucus' first annual EOD Day on the Hill. The purpose of this event was 
to educate Members and staff about the

[[Page H6692]]

critical mission EOD forces play in defending American interests, both 
at home and abroad. Staff Sergeant Bowden was a patriot who was willing 
to put himself in the line of fire to defend our country's way of life, 
and I am proud to have met him.
  In September, Staff Sergeant Bowden was laid to rest at Arlington 
National Cemetery. It is important that we regularly take time to 
reflect on the sacrifices made by our Nation's servicemen and -women 
and the veterans who preceded them.
  I am honored to have met Staff Sergeant Joshua Bowden, and my 
thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.

                          ____________________