[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 187 (Monday, October 25, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H5850-H5853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    AWARDING POSTHUMOUSLY A CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL COMMEMORATING 
     SERVICEMEMBERS WHO PERISHED IN AFGHANISTAN ON AUGUST 26, 2021

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5142) to award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal, in 
commemoration to the servicemembers who perished in Afghanistan on 
August 26, 2021, during the evacuation of citizens of the United States 
and Afghan allies at Hamid Karzai International Airport, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5142

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) At 9:44 A.M., on August 26, 2021, the Pentagon 
     confirmed that one explosion occurred at the Hamid Karzai 
     International Airport.
       (2) The explosion was confirmed to be a suicide bombing by 
     ISIS-K terrorist group.
       (3) Estimates as high as 200 deaths were reported, 
     including 13 servicemembers of the United States, as well as 
     hundreds more wounded.
       (4) The attack on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at the Hamid 
     Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, killed 13 
     United States servicemembers, making it the deadliest single 
     day of the war for the United States in more than a decade.
       (5) The American servicemembers went above and beyond the 
     call of duty to protect citizens of the United States and our 
     allies to ensure they are brought to safety in an extremely 
     dangerous situation as the Taliban regained control over 
     Afghanistan.
       (6) The American servicemembers exemplified extreme bravery 
     and valor against armed enemy combatants.
       (7) The American servicemembers dedicated their lives and 
     their heroism deserves great honor.
       (8) Maxton Soviak, Kareem Nikoui, David Espinoza, Rylee 
     McCollum, Jared Schmitz, Hunter Lopez, Taylor Hoover, Daegan 
     William-Tyeler Page, Nicole Gee, Humberto Sanchez, Dylan 
     Merola, Johanny Rosario Pichardo, and Ryan Knauss have been 
     identified as the 13 servicemembers who died from the blast 
     while stationed at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

     SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS.

       (a) Presentations Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate 
     shall make appropriate arrangements for the posthumous 
     presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a single gold 
     medal of appropriate design in commemoration to the 13 
     servicemembers who perished in Afghanistan, on August 26, 
     2021.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the 
     presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of 
     the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 
     ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable 
     emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the 
     Secretary.
       (c) Smithsonian Institution.--
       (1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal 
     under subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to the 
     Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be available for 
     display as appropriate and made available for research.
       (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Smithsonian Institution shall make the gold medal 
     received under paragraph (1) available for display outside of 
     the District of Columbia at times, particularly at other 
     locations associated with the 13 servicemembers who perished 
     in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021.

     SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of 
     the gold medal struck pursuant to section 2 at a price 
     sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, 
     materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.

     SEC. 4. STATUS OF MEDALS.

       (a) National Medals.--The medal struck pursuant to this Act 
     is a national medal for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, 
     United States Code.
       (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this 
     Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

       (a) Authority To Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to 
     be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise 
     Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of 
     the medals struck pursuant to this Act.
       (b) Proceeds of Sale.--The amounts received from the sale 
     of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 3 shall 
     be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise 
     Fund.

     SEC. 6. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.


[[Page H5851]]


  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Waters) and the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Member may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5142, a bill to posthumously 
award Congressional Gold Medals in commemoration to the servicemembers 
who perished in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021.
  Mr. Speaker, during the 20-year war in Afghanistan, we lost over 
2,000 brave men and women. More than 20,000 servicemembers returned 
home wounded in action.
  I believe in my heart that every single soldier we lost in 
Afghanistan was a tragedy. We must remember their sacrifice.
  In the waning days of this war, the Biden administration made 
decisions that put U.S. servicemembers in harm's way, and, 
unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, on August 26, we lost 13 more 
servicemembers, and more than 20 were injured.
  Eleven marines, one Navy corpsman, and one soldier were killed by an 
ISIS-K bomber outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport on this 
terrible day in August.
  Mr. Speaker, I represent the people of Missouri's Second 
Congressional District; and on August 26, my State lost a hero, Lance 
Corporal Jared Schmitz.
  This courageous young man had been stationed in Jordan on his first 
deployment when he was called into Afghanistan to defend the civilians 
fleeing the Taliban's advance. He was eager to be one of the brave men 
and women on the front lines, making a real difference for the 
Americans and allies trapped in a terrifying and dangerous situation.
  Lance Corporal Schmitz was totally committed to his military service, 
and he felt a calling to be a United States marine. So much so that he 
had gotten his parents' permission to enlist at just 17 years old.
  Lance Corporal Schmitz was just 20 years old when he lost his life in 
the terrorist attack at the airport in Kabul.
  Lance Corporal Schmitz and the 12 other servicemembers we lost in 
August went above and beyond the call of duty to protect those stranded 
in Afghanistan.
  I sadly don't believe we will truly understand why Lance Corporal 
Schmitz and his fellow soldiers died. Nevertheless, his family, their 
families, and all Americans deserve answers, Mr. Speaker.
  And I hope one day those who made the decisions that resulted in 
these senseless deaths will be held accountable.
  In the meantime, I am grateful that their service and their sacrifice 
is being commemorated by this legislation. The bravery and valor shown 
by these servicemembers is unquestionable.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill, and I look 
forward to standing next to the family of Lance Corporal Schmitz as 
they are presented a Congressional Gold Medal commemorating their son's 
service and valor.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, as we mark nearly 2 months since the bombing that killed 
more than 116 innocent Afghanis and American military personnel at the 
Hamid Karzai International Airport, I rise in strong support of this 
legislation to award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 
U.S. servicemembers who gave their lives that day.
  Those individuals are Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sergeant 
Nicole Gee, Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover, Corporal Hunter Lopez, 
Corporal Daegan Page, Corporal Humberto Sanchez, Lance Corporal David 
Espinoza, Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum, 
Lance Corporal Dylan Merola, Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui, Navy 
Corpsman Maxton Soviak, and Staff Sergeant Ryan C. Knauss.
  Mr. Speaker, as we recognize these extraordinary heroes and also 
understand that this honor cannot come close to filling the void left 
by their loss, I cannot think of anyone more deserving of such a 
distinction.
  These brave servicemembers represent the very best of America, 
knowingly putting themselves in harm's way to help evacuate thousands 
from the region, a true embodiment of the American spirit.
  Their legacies live on in the thousands of Afghan refugees they 
saved, who now have an opportunity to live lives free of violence and 
persecution.
  And so as we remember these extraordinary American heroes and 
recognize them with the Congressional Gold Medal, let us all live lives 
worthy of their sacrifice and service to our great Nation.
  I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and to join me in honoring 
these great American heroes.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. McClain), the sponsor of this bill.
  Mrs. McCLAIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding.
  War is an incredible teacher, a brutal instructor. We have learned 
lessons about triumph, sorrow, loss, and pain.
  War teaches us to appreciate the simple things we take for granted, 
like the ability to speak your mind, freely practice your religion, 
even seeing your loved ones once a day.

  It also teaches us that in war there are no unwounded soldiers.
  There are those who came back with both visible scars and invisible 
battle wounds, and there are those who did not come home at all.
  Today, we pause to honor the 13 American servicemembers who lost 
their lives during the evacuation efforts at the Kabul Airport in 
Afghanistan on August 26, 2021.
  These 13 fallen warriors, along with many others, made the ultimate 
sacrifice. Each of them knew their duty, and they accepted the risks. 
Not many answer the call, but they volunteered anyway.
  Sent to evacuate Americans and Afghans that struggled to get past the 
Taliban checkpoints in Kabul and through the airport gates, fearing 
they would be left behind and left for dead. They knew the mission and 
valiantly forged ahead; helping hundreds to safety, overcoming their 
own fears, when a suicide bomb attack took their lives.
  The terrorist act took the lives of at least 170 Afghans, 11 marines, 
one Navy corpsman, and one Army special operations soldier, including 
Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza of Laredo, Texas; Sergeant Nicole Gee 
of Roseville, California; Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover of Salt 
Lake City, Utah; Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss of Knoxville, Tennessee; 
Corporal Hunter Lopez of Indio, California; Lance Corporal Rylee 
McCollum of Bondurant, Wyoming; Corporal Dylan Merola of Rancho 
Cucamonga, California; Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui of Norco, 
California; Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page of Omaha, Nebraska; 
Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo of Lawrence, Massachusetts; Corporal 
Humberto Sanchez of Logansport, Indiana; Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz 
of Wentzville, Missouri; Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak of Berlin Heights, 
Ohio.
  I could not be more grateful for their service to our Nation. While 
we as a Nation grieve for the servicemembers we have lost, we often 
forget about the families who have lost even more.
  To be a Gold Star Family is an honor no one wishes for. We owe our 
sincerest gratitude to the families who eagerly awaited these 13 
servicemembers' return. These families bear the greatest burden of 
their loved one's sacrifice, and we can never thank them in a way that 
will make up for their loss.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the 
gentlewoman.
  Mrs. McCLAIN. Awarding Congress' highest honor is a small token of 
our appreciation.

[[Page H5852]]

  Thank you to all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who 
joined me in this effort.

                              {time}  1745

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Cuellar).
  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for her leadership, 
and the ranking member, also.
  Mr. Speaker, today we honor our fallen servicemembers to award them 
with this Congressional Gold Medal. I am proud to be a cosponsor of 
this legislation, H.R. 5142.
  On August 26 at 9:44 a.m., an explosion from a suicide terrorist 
bombing in Afghanistan killed 13 of our servicemembers. One of those 
servicemembers was my constituent, Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza 
from Rio Bravo.
  He was born in Laredo and graduated from the city's Lyndon B. Johnson 
High School in 2019. His mother, Elizabeth Holguin, and his father, 
Victor Dominguez, and his brothers and sister, Angel, Victor, and 
Delilah, mourn his loss and are endlessly proud of David and his 
service.
  When we attended David's funeral in Laredo, we all knew that families 
across the United States also mourned their loved ones. David joined 
the Marine Corps with the intention of protecting our Nation and 
demonstrating his selfless acts of service to his country. He embodied 
the American values of grit, dedication, service, and valor.
  May Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza and our fallen servicemembers 
forever be honored and never be forgotten.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining on 
my side.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Missouri has 13\1/4\ 
minutes remaining.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Meijer).
  Mr. MEIJER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in support of H.R. 
5142 introduced by my colleague, Lisa McClain from Michigan.
  This bill would posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 
U.S. servicemembers killed during the final week of the Afghanistan 
evacuation.
  On August 26, 2021, 13 American servicemembers were killed in a 
brutal suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport, marking 
one of the deadliest days for U.S. forces in Afghanistan in the past 20 
years.
  These selfless and brave Americans were put into an impossible 
situation, but their commitment to that mission never wavered.
  They epitomized what it means to be a hero. They knew about the 
heightened threat that they faced. They knew the risks, but they stayed 
at those gates to keep them open, each second buying time for more 
lives to be saved.
  The chaos of those days in Kabul and the perilous situation our 
servicemembers and diplomats faced cannot be overstated. We owe an 
extraordinary debt of gratitude for the sacrifice that they should have 
never been forced to have made.
  Every American should take pride in the heroism that Americans on the 
ground displayed in our final days in Afghanistan, but every American 
should also demand accountability from those senior officials whose 
decisions put our servicemembers in a position that required such 
heroic acts.
  Today, we honor the 13 lives lost and keep their families and all who 
loved them in our prayers. Theirs is the epitome of selfless service, 
and a grateful Nation honors them here today.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Michigan for introducing this 
important legislation, and I urge the support of my colleagues.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am 
prepared to close.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mast).
  Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I was asked by somebody about this piece of legislation, 
the Congressional Gold Medal for the 13 killed on August 26, and why 
not a gold medal for the thousands that have been killed in the war on 
terror, the ones that I wear on my wrist and the ones with names on the 
wall in the Rayburn Office Building and those that we see the markers 
for in Arlington National Cemetery. The fact is, we could give every 
one of them a thousand gold medals and it wouldn't represent a 
thousandth of what we owe those who have given their lives in defense 
of this country.
  This gold medal isn't about that. It is about what we owe to the 
living.
  This gold medal is a result of America's leaders being weak. That is 
why we are awarding this gold medal. We owe our fighters strength. We 
owe them that we never be intimidated, that we never back up, that we 
never retreat, that we never surrender. And as leaders, if we can't 
promise that to our fighters, then we owe it to them to never ask to 
lead.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Waltz).
  Mr. WALTZ. Mr. Speaker, as we as a nation reflect on 13 more killed 
in action, 13 more Gold Star families, I think it is worth noting that 
they did their mission. They did their jobs.
  Their operation, their mission, was to secure Kabul International 
Airport, to evacuate our Embassy, to evacuate those who had worked with 
us, to evacuate the remaining military assets. And they did their job. 
They secured Kabul International Airport. But they went above and 
beyond.
  After pulling grueling, long shifts in the August heat in 
Afghanistan--and everybody who has served there knows how difficult 
that could be--they went on their own time and were working with 
grassroots veterans organizations who sprung up, who stepped up to do, 
frankly, what should have already been done and to help those who had 
stood with us and stood for that flag for 20 years.
  They, on their own time, at great risk, were getting people out. They 
knew the dangers. Everybody who had served there knew that it was only 
a matter of time till they were going to be hit. They knew that it was 
only a matter of time. Yet, they did it anyway.

  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation for the 
Congressional Gold Medal, but we owe them answers. We owe their 
families answers. We owe this country answers.
  Why were they defending an airport in the middle of a city of 4 
million people? Why were the military assets pulled before--before--all 
of our civilians and our government employees were out?
  Why? Why? Why? So many questions. So many answers.
  I can tell you, and I could tell these families, I tell this body, I 
will not rest, I will never forget, and we will get those answers that 
those 13 Gold Star families deserve. And there will be accountability 
for why we now have 13 more dead Americans.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Burchett).
  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Wagner for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Gold Medal, as we all know and have 
heard, is Congress' highest medal. It is the least we can do for the 13 
brave servicemembers killed during our withdrawal from Afghanistan back 
in August.
  One of those 13, Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss, was from Corryton, 
Tennessee, in my congressional district. As a matter of fact, I live in 
Corryton, and his family, they are neighbors of mine.
  His grandfather called me shortly after and described the scene. We 
have all seen it in movies, but he, unfortunately, had to live it. The 
car pulls up. The Army officers get out and, in fact, inform his family 
that his grandson had perished in Afghanistan.
  Mr. Speaker, I have heard that story many times because my mama 
endured that very same thing when she was a young girl in Cheatham 
County, Tennessee, and her brother, Roy, had died fighting the Nazis. 
So it is in my head pretty thick, sir.
  Of course, he was killed while helping complete strangers, and that 
is what he loved to do. He loved helping folks.
  When Staff Sergeant Knauss succumbed to his injuries after the 
attack, he became the final American military

[[Page H5853]]

casualty from the war in Afghanistan. We were all devastated by this 
loss, but our community is very strong.
  Mr. Speaker, on September 11, they held a great local tribute to this 
fallen hero at Gibbs High School, on the football field. And on 
September 21, I also attended his funeral as he was laid to rest at 
Arlington National Cemetery.
  Today, we honor him and 12 fellow heroes further by passing this 
legislation. The true heroes in this country are the men and women of 
our Armed Forces. They are the ones who keep us free. Their patriotism 
and bravery have kept us safe every day.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Weber), my friend and colleague, a classmate of mine.
  Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, little that we can do here today is going to make a 
difference in what those families endured. We can only supply a small 
token of our appreciation for the greatest fighting force of men and 
women on the planet.
  I want you to think with me for a second here. When the world has a 
calamity, it doesn't matter whether it is a hurricane, whether it is a 
tsunami, whether it is an earthquake, whether it is pestilence, famine, 
or rebellion, invasion. When the world has a calamity and they dial 
911, who is it that answers? It is the United States of America, isn't 
it? With the greatest fighting force of men and women this world has 
ever known.
  When America is safe, the world is a safer place. To the families, 
the Gold Star families, whose family members gave all, we owe them a 
debt of gratitude, and not just us, but the world as well.
  Mr. Speaker, may God bless them, and may they rest in peace.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close.
  Mr. Speaker, I simply urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5142 to 
award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of the 
servicemembers who perished in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I simply ask all of my colleagues, all the 
Members of this House, to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, the book of Isaiah recounts how the prophet 
Isaiah began his service. In a time of darkness, the Lord asks, ``Whom 
shall I send? And who will go for us?''
  Isaiah's response was to volunteer for service: ``Here am I; send 
me.''
  When their nation called them to serve, so said a generation of 
American servicemembers, diplomats and intelligence officers: ``Here am 
I; send me.''
  Two months ago tomorrow, thirteen of those servicemembers were killed 
as they helped bring nearly 130,000 Americans, allies and Afghan 
partners to safety.
  That action was one of profound valor, selflessness and sacrifice, 
for which the Congress and Country are united in grief and in 
gratitude.
  We salute and pray for: Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover (Salt 
Lake City, Utah); Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny [jo-HAN-nee] Rosario 
Pichardo (Lawrence, Massachusetts); Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee 
[JEE] (Sacramento, California); Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez (Indio, 
California); Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan [day-gan] Page (Omaha, Nebraska); 
Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez (Logansport, Indiana); Marine 
Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza (Rio Bravo, Texas); Marine Corps 
Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz (St. Charles, Missouri); Marine Corps Lance 
Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum (Jackson, Wyoming); Marine Corps Lance Cpl. 
Dylan R. Merola (Rancho Cucamonga, California); Marine Corps Lance Cpl. 
Kareem M. Nikoui [neh-KOO-ee] (Norco, California); Navy Hospitalman 
Maxton W. Soviak (Berlin Heights, Ohio); and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. 
Knauss [kuh-nows] (Corryton, Tennessee).
  Today, we honor their heroism by awarding them the Congressional Gold 
Medal: the highest honor that the Congress can bestow.
  Their service brings great honor to our country, and their being 
awarded this honor brings luster to this award.
  As we honor the heroism of the fallen, we salute each member of our 
military, intelligence and diplomatic communities who conducted this 
evacuation--and all who have served or are serving our country.
  We pray for all fighting for our freedoms and for their families. And 
we pray for the people of Afghanistan and in the region.
  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, on August 26th, 13 American families 
experienced the worst day of their lives.
  They received the knock on the door that every parent of a 
servicemember prays will never come.
  For those families, the conversation that followed was the most 
devastating news a person can receive: their child has been killed.
  One of the marines we lost that day was Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz 
from Wentzville in Missouri's Third Congressional District.
  Lance Corporal Schmitz was just 20 years old when the military 
transferred him from Jordan to Afghanistan during the U.S. evacuation.
  Shortly after arriving in Kabul, Jared died while achieving his 
lifelong goal of serving the American People in the United States 
Marine Corps.
  Because of Jared's and his fellow servicemembers' sacrifice, 
thousands of Americans were able to return home safely.
  They ensured that thousands of families did not get the heartbreaking 
news Jared's parents received early in the morning of August 27th.
  Because our servicemembers displayed a bravery most of us are not 
capable of, countless kids saw their mom and dad again.
  Brothers reunited with their sisters.
  And terrified parents got to hug their children after days of 
worrying that day would never come.
  Nothing we can say on this floor will erase the pain far too many 
military families live with every day.
  No amount of gratitude nor a Congressional Gold Medal will change the 
fact that the Schmitz family and 12 others will forever have an 
unfillable hole in their hearts.
  But what we can do with this bill is remind them of what they 
hopefully already know: their loved-one represents the best of us.
  They are the American heroes who allow 300 million people to live 
freely in the greatest country in the history of the world.
  Their loss is absolutely heartbreaking, but their sacrifice and their 
lives will never be forgotten.
  They will be remembered as the heroes they are and will live in the 
hearts of millions of grateful Americans forever.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5142, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________