[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 177 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6915-S6916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING OFFICER JOSE GILBERT VEGA

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring the life of Police Officer Jose Gilbert Vega, a beloved 
husband, father, grandfather, and uncle who was tragically killed in 
the line of duty on October 8, 2016.
  Jose ``Gil'' Vega was born in Texas to a family of migrant farm 
workers. When Gil was 6 years old his family relocated to Coachella, 
CA, where he graduated from Indio High School. In 1979, Gil began his 
career in law enforcement by serving as a reserve police officer for 
the Indio Police Department. He was hired as a community service 
officer by the Palm Springs Police Department in 1982, and the 
following year, he accepted additional responsibilities as a jail and 
reserve field training officer. Gil's hard work and dedication was 
recognized in 1985 when the city of Palm Springs hired him as a police 
officer trainee. Upon completion of his program at the San Bernardino 
County Sheriff's Academy, Gil was promoted to police officer.
  Officer Vega worked on various assignments throughout his career, 
including serving as a detective for the Riverside Auto Theft 
Interdiction Detail, RAID, and the Palm Springs Crimes Against Property 
Unit. Over the course of three decades, Officer Vega mentored over 30 
police officers and was consistently recognized for his commitment to 
his job and the community. He was awarded a lifesaving medal for 
performing CPR on an infant in 2010 and received the Medal of Merit in 
2013. He is also the only officer in the history of the Palm Springs 
Police Department to have been selected twice by his peers as ``Officer 
of the Year,'' in 1992 and 2011.
  Officer Vega truly embodied the very best of law enforcement and his 
courageous service will be forever remembered. On behalf of the people 
of California whom Officer Vega served so bravely, I extend my 
heartfelt condolences to his wife, Susana; his eight children; and his 
entire extended family.


               TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN LEWIS LARKIN O'HERN III

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize U.S. Army CPT 
Lewis Larkin O'Hern III for his extraordinary dedication to duty and

[[Page S6916]]

honorable service to our Nation. During his exemplary career with the 
Army from May 2008 to January 2017, Captain O'Hern made an immense 
impact on those he worked with both in the Army and here in Congress.
  Captain O'Hern was born at Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis, 
WA, and grew up in a military family before graduating from Belton High 
School in Belton, Texas, in 2004. He received his commission from the 
U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2008. After completing the 
infantry office basic course, airborne school, and Ranger school at 
Fort Benning, GA, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, Air 
Assault, at Fort Campbell, KY, where he served as a rifle platoon 
leader. He deployed to Kandahar in June 2010 and, after 7 months in 
Afghanistan was severely wounded, suffering the loss of both legs and a 
hand. In the course of his 2 and a half year recovery, Captain O'Hern 
completed the Defense Strategy Course and worked as a future operations 
planner at U.S. Army North. In 2013, Captain O'Hern was accepted into 
the Army's prestigious Congressional Fellowship Program. He earned a 
master's degree in legislative affairs from George Washington 
University and in 2014 served as my defense legislative fellow. 
Following his fellowship, Captain O'Hern continued to serve as an Army 
legislative liaison in the Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison.
  Captain O'Hern has performed at the top of his profession throughout 
his career, providing motivation and serving as a role model for his 
fellow servicemembers and colleagues. Captain O'Hern demonstrated his 
impressive intellect in all duties, questioning assumptions and pushing 
team members to achieve their highest potential. He easily grasped the 
complexities of policymaking and the appropriations processes, greatly 
contributing to both while in my office.
  Part of what makes Captain O'Hern such a remarkable leader is that 
his great intellect is coupled with incredible humanity and compassion. 
I witnessed his inexhaustible drive to provide assistance to fellow 
servicemembers and veterans, which is in the image of some of the 
Army's greatest leaders. I was privileged to have Captain O'Hern as an 
enormously important member of my legislative team. His contributions 
continue to resonate today.
  Captain O'Hern models resilience and determination. His story is a 
testament to the power of a positive can-do attitude and a shining of 
example of the refusal to let obstacles stand in his way. Captain 
O'Hern's inspirational journey would not have been possible without the 
unfailing support from his exceptional wife. Mrs. Rachel Brooks O'Hern 
was an integral partner in Captain O'Hern's recovery. In addition to 
undertaking her substantial caregiver role, Rachel also built an 
impressive career of her own, serving the wider veteran community.
  It is my honor to recognize this remarkable couple and congratulate 
Captain O'Hern on his military retirement as he proceeds to the next 
chapter of his life. I ask the entire country to thank him for his 
service and dedication.

                          ____________________