[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 166 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TEXAN VICTOR LOVELADY DIED PROTECTING OTHERS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2013

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when the world is in trouble, they 
look to Americans for help. One of my constituents, Mr. Victor 
Lovelady, heard this cry while working in Algeria and sacrificed his 
life to answer it.
  Victor embodied the very best of the American spirit. He was brave, 
compassionate, and in the face of great danger made the decision to 
help and protect others instead of himself. Courage like this should be 
applauded. That is why this week I nominated Mr. Lovelady for the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is our nation's highest civilian 
honor and recognizes individuals who have made ``an especially 
meritorious contribution'' to our society. It is clear to me that 
Victor Lovelady not only meets, but exceeds this standard.
  Like many Americans, Victor Lovelady was a hard worker who put in 
long hours to provide for his family of four. As an industrial engineer 
and master electrician, he worked most of his life in his hometown of 
Nederland, Texas. Later he moved down the street from me in Atascocita, 
Texas. However, when work in his area slowed, he traveled back and 
forth to Houston daily for almost three years so that his children 
would not have to change schools. Victor never had a pension plan and 
always had to pay his family's insurance by himself. He never had more 
than two weeks off in a year. He longed to be able to retire and spend 
more time with his wife and children.
  When the opportunity to work overseas for British Petroleum arose, 
Victor weighed the pros and cons. He knew that if he did this job for a 
few years, he would be able to make enough money to retire and be with 
his family. He was also assured that it would be a safe place to work.
  On January 9, 2013, Victor arrived in In Amenas, Algeria to begin his 
new job at the BP Gas facility. On the morning of January 16, Victor 
and several other workers were in the cantina having tea when a 
colleague walked in with a gunshot wound to his stomach. Mokhtar 
Belmokhtar's al Qaeda linked terrorists had stormed their facility and 
were indiscriminately killing innocent employees.
  Thinking quickly, Victor began to clean and dress the man's wound as 
the sound of gunshots grew louder and louder. After he bandaged the man 
and hid him in a food container, Victor began helping the other men 
with him hide in the cantina's false ceiling, lifting them up so they 
could climb in. In total, Victor propelled three men into the hiding 
spot. Only when it sounded like the terrorists had entered the cantina 
did Victor try to save himself. Unfortunately, when attempting to climb 
into the ceiling, he fell and injured his ankle. Moments later, the 
terrorists found him and led him away.
  Victor's selfless and heroic actions saved four lives that day. This 
entire ordeal was witnessed and recounted to me by one of the men he 
helped protect. Sadly, Victor was killed the next day when Algerian, 
military forces attacked the convoy in which he was being held hostage.
  Victor Lovelady may not be a household name, but there is no doubt 
that his contribution meets the Presidential Medal of Freedom's high 
standards. He worked hard to provide an honest living for his family 
and when in danger, thought first to protect others instead of himself. 
When his brother Michael testified about Victor's heroics before my 
subcommittee in July, there was not a dry eye in the house. Everyone 
who hears Victor's story is inspired to act with courage, conviction, 
and compassion--in other words, to act as a true American.
  Mr. Speaker, I'm sure you and all of our colleagues are as touched by 
Victor's story as I am. He was a great man and his legacy will continue 
through his wife, Maureen, and his two children, Erin and Grant. I am 
honored to call this man and his family my constituents and will 
continue to fight to honor the legacy of their courageous husband and 
father.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________