[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H6013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING STAFF SERGEANT MATTHEW THOMPSON

  (Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. MIMI WALTERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory 
of Staff Sergeant Matthew Thompson of Irvine, who was tragically killed 
on August 23 while on patrol in Afghanistan.
  He enlisted in the Army in March of 2011, and though this was his 
first deployment to Afghanistan, he had also been deployed to Iraq to 
combat the Islamic State. He was awarded over a dozen medals in his 
military career and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
  Staff Sergeant Thompson was just 28 years old, and he leaves behind 
his wife of 5 years, Rachel. Our prayers remain with her, his family, 
friends, and fellow soldiers.
  Staff Sergeant Thompson gave everything to protect our freedom. It is 
because of him, because of his service, because of his sacrifice, that 
we live in the most free nation on Earth. We will always remember this, 
and we will remain forever grateful for his selfless sacrifice.

                          ____________________