[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 163 (Tuesday, November 15, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                  REMEMBERING BERLIN FOREST HOWARD III

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to a 
distinguished Kentuckian and beloved member of the Cumberland Gap 
National Historical Park family who I regret has recently passed away: 
Berlin Forest Howard III. Mr. Howard was lost while performing his job 
in service to our national parks. He was 27 years old.
  On August 22 of this year, a tragic accident befell him as he was 
mowing the lawn in the park, and he was pronounced dead shortly after 
being rushed to the Middlesboro Appalachian Regional Hospital.
  Mr. Howard's loss has been felt by many and has inspired those who 
were close to him to reflect on what joy he brought to all those around 
him. Mr. Howard had a happy, bright aura about him. He was someone who 
would always be caught smiling and bringing light to others with his 
positive attitude. He was dedicated to the national park and proud of 
his Appalachian heritage. His memory will continue on through his two 
children, Reid and Xander.
  My thoughts go out to the Howard family during this time of grief. I 
want to thank Mr. Howard for his many years of dedication to preserving 
a park that is a treasure, not just for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, 
but also the Nation. I am sure my Senate colleagues join me in 
expressing gratitude and admiration for Mr. Howard's life and legacy of 
service as well.
  An area publication, the Mountain News WYMT, published an article on 
this sad incident. I ask unanimous consent that the article be printed 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                       [From WYMT, Aug. 23, 2016]

        Friends Mourn the Loss of Man Killed While Mowing Grass

                             (By Caleb Noe)

       Bell County, Ky.--Across the country, park rangers wear a 
     black band across their badges, mourning the loss of one of 
     their own.
       ``The Cumberland Gap staff is a family in itself. Knowing 
     that one of our own is no longer with us is definitely having 
     its toll,'' said Supervisory Park Ranger Carol Borneman.
       Berlin Forest Howard III, 27, a maintenance worker at 
     Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, was killed on the 
     job while mowing the grass.
       We're told the incident happened just off of Pinnacle View 
     Road, at the national park Monday morning, when a van 
     collided with Howard, who was on a riding lawn mower at the 
     time.
       ``It's just hard to understand. It just makes us all think 
     about telling our children every day how much we love them, 
     because you don't know when you're going to have that chance 
     again,'' said Bruce Thompson, a family friend.
       Bruce Thompson watched Howard grow up in Middlesboro and 
     says it's hard to find another young man as compassionate, 
     caring, and hard-working.
       ``[He] just absolutely loved life. He'd do anything to help 
     you. It didn't matter what time of day it was. If he could 
     help you, he'd help you. It's hard to find that caliber of a 
     person,'' said Thompson.
       Recently, Howard took an interest in golf and actually won 
     a ``closest to the pin'' contest at Middlesboro Country Club, 
     just last Tuesday.
       ``He was very dedicated to trying to master the game,'' 
     said Thompson.
       Friends and family members will try to come to terms with 
     the loss of a son, brother, and father.

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