[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 59 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Lance Corporal Taylor Conrad

  Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I honor today the life and sacrifice of 
one soldier in particular, U.S. Marine Corps LCpl Taylor Conrad, who 
was 24 years old and was a Central Louisianan.
  Our military men and women deserve recognition. They sacrifice time 
away from family and friends and put themselves in harm's way to 
advance our country's interests. Every day, they risk their lives to 
secure our safety. In the case of Taylor Conrad, along with three of 
his fellow marines, he tragically lost his life last week when their 
helicopter crashed during a training mission in California.
  A Louisiana native and Central High School graduate, Taylor 
exemplified the qualities of a good marine. He was tough, 
compassionate, and wanted to help others. In high school, Taylor played 
football and was an accomplished powerlifter. He also volunteered in 
the Best Buddies program, which matches students with schoolmates in 
the special ed program.
  A teacher said:

       The one thing that made Taylor such a special friend with 
     our kids is he didn't approach them in a way that he felt 
     sorry for them. He approached them in a way where he truly 
     wanted to be their friend.

  The school's athletic director said Taylor's ``love for those who 
need the most is something I'll never forget.'' There was one child who 
would never speak except, with Taylor, he would laugh. That was the 
effect Taylor had on others.
  After school, Taylor decided to serve our country by joining the 
Marines. He went on to become a CH-53 helicopter crew chief in the 3rd 
Marine Aircraft Wing's Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465. One marine who 
served with Taylor had this to say of him:

       He was the gold standard. He pushed everybody and he cared 
     about everybody. I wouldn't be the Marine I am now if it 
     wasn't for him.

  Our hearts go out to everyone whose life was touched by Taylor. We 
especially pray for his family, including his daughter, who was born 
just last October. Their loss is great, and their hearts are heavy. I 
want them to know that Louisiana and our entire country mourn with them 
because our loss is great too. When they lost a brother, a son, and a 
dad, we lost a good man, a great marine, and a fellow American.
  Thank you.