[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   VICTOR LOVELADY'S SPIRIT LIVES ON

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 16, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on this day, five years ago, one of my 
constituents--Mr. Victor Lovelady--was brutally killed at the hands of 
al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Algeria. Victor was killed not just for 
who he was, but also for what he represented. He was killed because he 
was an American. Before his death, Victor displayed some of the very 
best qualities of the American spirit: courage, conviction, and 
compassion. This is the American spirit that terrorists seek to kill. 
But today and every day, we let Mr. Lovelady's spirit live on. I would 
like to take a moment to tell you his story.
   Like many Americans, Victor Lovelady was a hard worker who put in 
long hours to provide for his family of four. As an industrial engineer 
and master electrician, he worked most of his life in his hometown of 
Nederland, Texas. Victor never had a pension plan and always had to pay 
his family's insurance by himself. So, when given the opportunity to 
work overseas for British Petroleum, Victor knew a few years of hard 
work would provide him with enough money to retire. He made a sacrifice 
for his family.
   On January 9, 2013, Victor arrived in a remote area of Algeria to 
begin his new job at the BP Gas facility. Seven days later, Victor and 
several other workers were in the cantina having tea when a colleague 
walked in with a gunshot wound to his stomach. Al Qaeda-linked 
terrorists had stormed their facility and were indiscriminately killing 
innocent employees.
   In the ultimate show of heroism, Victor disregarded the sound of 
gunfire and instead began cleaning and dressing his colleague's wound. 
Victor then hid him in a food container for his safety. Even as the 
sound of gunshots grew louder, Victor selflessly continued to lift the 
other men into the cantina's false ceiling, hiding them from the 
attackers. Moments later, the terrorists stormed in, captured Victor, 
and held him hostage. Victor's selfless and heroic actions saved four 
lives that day. Sadly, Victor was killed when U.S. and Algerian forces 
attempted to rescue the hostages.
   Victor Lovelady was a true American hero. He represented the very 
best of America; he represented selfless courage and sacrifice. He was 
there to work hard to provide an honest living for his family and when 
he encountered the evil of terrorism, thought first to protect others 
instead of himself. For his actions, I have requested that Victor be 
recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation's highest 
civilian honor to recognize individuals who have made ``an especially 
meritorious contribution'' to our society. Victor undoubtedly exceeded 
that standard.
   While we continue to mourn their loss we should, to quote General 
George Patton: ``Thank God that such men lived.''
   Mr. Speaker, courage like this should be praised and remembered. We 
should all take a moment today to reflect on the heroism of Victor 
Lovelady. He was a great man and his legacy continues through his 
family: his wife, Maureen, his two children, Erin and Grant, and his 
brother, Mike. May we continue to honor the sacrifice that Victor 
Lovelady made as a courageous husband, father, and American. And that's 
just the way it is.

                          ____________________