[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 30, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           UNITED STATES GREEN BERET JAMES ``JIMMY'' MORIARTY

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 30, 2016

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, November 4, 2016, a 
military base in Jafr, Jordan was attacked. A hail of gunfire suddenly 
rang out while three American soldiers were returning to base. The 
reason for the shots fired is still publicly unknown. Three Green 
Berets from the 5th Special Forces Group were killed in support of 
Operation Inherent Resolve.
   One of these heroic men was Staff Sergeant James ``Jimmy'' Moriarty 
(27). SSgt. Moriarty was a Texas native, one of Houston's own. He was 
scheduled to come home to spend the holiday season with his family. His 
chair was empty at the Thanksgiving table this year. His voice was 
missing from the conversation. But he will not be forgotten.
   Jimmy was unquestionably one of the best. Growing up in Houston, he 
earned his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Texas 
and spoke fluent Arabic. As part of the 5th Special Forces Group, based 
out of Fort Campbell, Ky., he was more than three months into his third 
tour in Jordan.
   Upon graduation from the University of Texas, Jimmy made the choice 
to serve his nation in the United States Army. Jimmy was a proud member 
of the United States Army Special Forces. He was a special breed, one 
of the few who met the requirements to be among the highest ranked 
military professionals in the United States, the Green Berets.
   During his service, he earned the Good Conduct Medal, National 
Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development 
Ribbon and an Army Service Ribbon.
   The brave men of the Green Beret are our nation's warriors. They 
take on the toughest missions that our nation faces. They are the 
absolute best that America has. These men are the forces who deter 
enemies who seek to harm the United States. They respond to terrorist 
activities to keep the United States safe. Proudly wearing silver wings 
on their chests they are without question America's finest.
   Mr. Speaker, in the words of Marcus Luttrell, ``In times of 
uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our 
Nation's call; a common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by 
adversity, he stands alongside America's finest special operations 
forces to serve his country and the American people, and to protect 
their way of life.'' Jimmy Moriarty was one of these men.
   Jimmy's father, U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran, James R. Moriarty 
wrote, ``This is a young man who loved serving in the Army, was where 
he wanted to be, doing what he wanted to do.'' Moriarty was loved by 
his two sisters who incessantly saw to it that their younger brother 
would be a well rounded young man. It is without a doubt that this 
distinguished soldier will be missed by his family, friends, and 
community.
   We grieve the loss of this American warrior, but we celebrate and 
honor his life and his service. We are fortunate to have a Green Beret 
like Moriarty standing in support of our country. We are fortunate that 
a man like Jimmy served our great nation. He stood for the best of 
those American ideals and values exemplified in Special Forces. He is a 
son of liberty. He epitomizes everything that America stands for. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
   At noon on December 5, 2016 taps will be played for the last time as 
Staff Sergeant James Moriarty is surrounded by his family and friends 
and will be buried in Arlington National cemetery next to thousands of 
other warriors who died for America.
   And that's just the way it is.

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