[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 212 (Wednesday, December 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1342-E1343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING SCHALK SPIES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2021

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor our man on the 
ground and a key member of the team during our operation to evacuate 
Afghan allies from Kabul, Mr. Schalk Spies.
  Service is ingrained in Mr. Schalk's DNA--he served as a captain in 
the South African National Defense Force, commanding several pathfinder 
and parachute Special Forces units on missions focused on border 
protection, surveillance and reconnaissance. Since leaving the 
military, he's worked as a security and operations manager with over a 
decade of experience in private sector risk management for 
international clients. With his top-notch professionalism and attention 
to detail, he's been relied upon time and time again to oversee all 
aspects of operations and logistics for U.S. government and non-
governmental organization stakeholders.
  When we needed someone to make sure our MSU-affiliated Afghan allies 
got to the

[[Page E1343]]

right place at the right time, we turned to Mr. Spies to keep them 
safe. His deep knowledge as a combat rescue medic and survival expert 
was key to our success--and no doubt reassured frightened men, women, 
and children as they traveled to the airport to escape the threats to 
their life. Despite a 25-hour harrowing journey as our buses made their 
way through Taliban checkpoints and stray gunfire, we didn't lose a 
single member of our group. Mr. Schalk's dedicated work as their 
security detail saved lives and for that I am immensely grateful.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Schalk Spies for his willingness 
to go above and beyond the call of duty in our effort to evacuate 
Afghan allies from Kabul and support them in their new life. For his 
assistance in providing security on the ground for vulnerable 
individuals in Kabul as they attempted to make it through the airport 
gates and for his actions that kept them safe in their hour of greatest 
need, I submit these words--may they stand as a tribute to his 
dedicated service when the moment called for it most.

                          ____________________