[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 111 (Thursday, July 16, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S5168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN CHRISTY WISE

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today, I wish to recognize Capt. 
Christy Wise for her unwavering dedication to both the U.S. Air Force 
and to overcoming great adversity. It gives me great pleasure to 
recognize this young woman's incredible strength. She embodies the true 
Battle Born spirit of determination, fearlessness, confidence, and 
resilience.
  Captain Wise was raised in Reno with her twin sister and younger 
brother. She was accepted into the Air Force Academy, where she 
discovered her passion for flying. Shortly after, she was accepted into 
flight school. Captain Wise flies HC-130 search and rescue planes 
supporting pararescue jumpers and helicopters at her squadron base in 
Valdosta, GA. She flew in six rescue missions in Afghanistan in 2012 
and is scheduled to redeploy this December. I extend my deepest 
gratitude to her for her service and wish her a safe deployment.
  Recently, Captain Wise competed in the 2015 Department of Defense 
Wounded Warrior Games after sustaining serious injuries in a boating 
accident. Immediately after recovering from her injuries, which 
included the loss of her right leg above the knee, Captain Wise began 
her rehabilitation. She had heard about the Department of Defense 
Wounded Warrior Games though a fellow amputee patient at the gym and 
decided to compete. Less than 3 months after the accident, Captain Wise 
competed in track and field, swimming, and cycling events, earning 11 
medals total. It was only 2 days before the games that she was cleared 
to participate in the swimming events, leaving her little time to 
practice for the five events in which she would compete. She received 
silver medals in both hand cycling and field competitions and received 
a bronze medal in the 100-meter wheelchair race. Her insatiable drive 
to excel is truly inspirational.
  Captain Wise has demonstrated unwavering commitment and dedication to 
the highest standards of the U.S. Air Force. I am proud to call her a 
fellow Nevadan, and today, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing Captain Wise and her great achievements. I wish her well in 
all of her future endeavors and in her time in the U.S. Air Force for 
years to come.

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