[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 28, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2471-S2472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING SHAWN PHILLIP SOMITS

  Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. President, today I honor the life and service of 
Shawn Phillip Somits of Muncy, PA, a Federal corrections officer at USP 
Allenwood and a U.S. Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
Operation Enduring Freedom, whose life tragically ended on April 2, 
2015.
  Shawn Somits was born on July 1, 1975, in Williamsport, PA, the son 
of John and Charlotte Somits, of Muncy. Shawn was a 1994 graduate of 
Muncy High School and attended both Penn College and Bucknell 
University. In 2003, Shawn married his wife, Daisy, and welcomed the 
birth of his first child, Faith. At this time, Shawn was dutifully 
serving his country in OIF/OEF in the U.S. Army, where he was deployed 
to both Iraq and Kuwait from February 2003 until April of 2004. Upon 
his return from deployment in 2004, Shawn entered into Federal service 
with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Prisons 
as a corrections officer at USP Allenwood,

[[Page S2472]]

where he would serve for nearly 11 years.
  Shawn Somits' life ended suddenly and tragically on April 2, 2015, 
following a long battle with post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, 
suffered as a result from his combat service. He is survived by his 
wife, Daisy, and their two children, Faith and Wesley.
  Today I express my condolences to the family of Shawn Somits and 
honor Shawn's service to his country both as a combat veteran and a 
Federal law enforcement officer. Tragic losses such as this provide us 
a chance to reflect on the sacrifices dedicated public servants like 
Shawn make in order to keep us all safe from harm. Shawn Somits was a 
dedicated soldier, officer, husband, and father. His loss leaves a deep 
void in the lives of those who knew and loved Shawn.

                          ____________________