[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 27, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H2837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING COLONEL CRAIG OSBORNE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate Colonel Craig Osborne, a soldier in my district who will 
be retiring this week after 30 years of service in the United States 
Army.
  Colonel Osborne graduated from Illinois State University in 1989 as a 
distinguished military graduate, and during his time with the Army, he 
has participated in a total of five combat deployments: Operation 
Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Joint Guard, Operation 
Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Time and time again, Colonel Osborne has answered the call to serve 
his country. He has served at the headquarters of Allied Land Forces 
Southeastern Europe in Turkey, as well as the chief of staff for a 
combined, joint, and interagency task force in Kabul, Afghanistan.

                              {time}  1100

  In his current position with the National Defense University, he 
contributes to the education of future generations of our 
servicemembers.
  Among his many distinctions, Colonel Osborne has earned three Defense 
Superior Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, five Bronze Star Medals, 
three Defense Meritorious Service Medals, the Combat Infantryman's 
Badge, and numerous other awards.
  Words cannot express how thankful I am for Colonel Osborne's service. 
He is a great example of someone who has dedicated his life to serving 
his country, and I am proud to honor him today.
  Congratulations on your retirement, Colonel.


                         Remembering Gary Jones

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember 
Gary Jones, a good friend and dedicated police officer who passed away 
earlier this month after a long battle with cancer.
  Gary and I both grew up in Taylorville, Illinois. After graduation, 
he went on to serve in the Army and in the Army National Guard. He 
eventually became a police officer in our hometown. He was proud of his 
job and always loved going to schools to teach students about the 
police station and his job protecting our community.
  Outside of work, Gary's greatest hobby was firearms. He was a 
gunsmith, a proud member of the NRA, a master firearms instructor, and 
my and my wife's concealed carry instructor. Gary loved teaching people 
about the responsibility of owning firearms and teaching people the 
importance of gun safety.
  I will remember Gary as a true example of patriotism and service to 
our community that we share as a hometown. He made a tremendous impact 
on the lives of many in Taylorville, and he will truly be missed.
  My prayers are with his wife, Gina; their four children, Logan, 
Kaylee, Tanner, and Dylan; and all those like me who were blessed to 
know Gary Jones.


                 Slow Down to Protect First Responders

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
highlight a dangerous, disturbing, and unacceptable trend in Illinois 
and across the country. It is the rising number of first responders 
being struck by drivers.
  We are not even 3 months into this year, and 14 members of the 
Illinois State Police have been struck by drivers while on the road or 
responding to incidents. These accidents have resulted in one fatality 
and more than a dozen injuries.
  Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect 
us, and it is inexcusable to have this number of them injured by errant 
and distracted drivers. These numbers average out to more than one 
trooper struck per week and is nearly double the number of incidents in 
all of 2018.
  Even though every State has laws requiring drivers to change lanes or 
slow down when vehicles or emergency personnel are on the side of the 
road, these tragedies keep occurring. For the safety of our first 
responders, construction workers, and tow truck drivers, please slow 
down, avoid distractions, and be alert on the road to help save lives 
and buck this tragic trend.

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