[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 112 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3838-S3839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Remembering Joe Dale Burgess

  Mr. President, I attended the signing ceremony at the White House 
last week for the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. 
It was a happy occasion, but I received some sad news.
  A son of Arkansas who served in uniform passed away earlier this year 
at the far-too-young age of 31. His name was Joe Dale Burgess. Though 
he was not widely known, he was especially well loved by all who did 
know him. Today I want to recognize him briefly for his service.
  Joe Dale served in the U.S. Army--specifically, Delta Company, 2-
506th Infantry Battalion, 101st Airborne Division; 2-506th, the same 
unit in which I served in Iraq.
  In March, 2008, he was deployed to Khost Province in Afghanistan, 
where he took the fight to the enemy for 12 straight months. He was a 
fearless soldier, but his platoon leader says what he will probably be 
best remembered for is being an awful comedian. He loved to crack jokes 
and play pranks, even though, as his best battle buddies attest, he 
didn't show a particular talent for either of them. He always got 
laughs, and he always lifted their spirits. When you are living in a 
war zone, I can tell you that counts for a lot.
  But in his battle buddies' minds, Joe Dale means more than memories 
of sharing a few laughs. What stands out is his humility. His platoon 
leader says he was completely selfless. He did whatever was asked of 
him--no matter how unpleasant, no matter how tedious, how irritating, 
or how dangerous. He never lost sight of the mission. He never forgot 
why he was there, and it made an impression. Ask any one of his battle 
buddies what they think of Joe Dale, and you will not get a bad word 
out of them, not one in the whole bunch. His platoon leader says: ``We 
would all gladly serve with him again.'' That is a pretty good measure, 
the quality of a troop.
  I am sorry to say Joe Dale, who endured a tour of duty that cost the 
lives of seven soldiers in his company, died in April of testicular 
cancer. It had spread to his spine, which after several surgeries left 
him paralyzed. He suffered several other afflictions: PTSD, pain in his 
joints, trouble sleeping. He didn't ask for care or a disability rating 
from the VA until it was too late.
  It seems so unfair that this man--a man who braved the mountains of 
the Hindu Kush, a man who was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge 
and the Army Commendation Medal--ultimately succumbed to disease at 
home at such a young age. In fact, it seems almost cruel because he 
left behind a fiancee, Alice Hart, and a 2-year-old daughter, Zoe Hart-
Burgess. I suppose we must remember that the Lord God in Heaven has His 
own purposes, and He works in His own mysterious ways.
  To see the outpouring of love for this man--a quiet man, a humble 
man, a man whose only ambition was to serve his country--it tells you, 
indeed, that Joe Dale Burgess was one impressive man. May he rest in 
peace.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Kennedy). The Senator from Arkansas.
  Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, I yield back all time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.

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