[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 11, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4808-H4809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CHRISTIAN J. KOCH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Jacobs) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JACOBS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my 
legislation to designate the post office in Honeoye Falls the CW4 
Christian J. Koch Memorial Post Office.
  Christian was an American hero who passed away tragically in January 
of 2021 during a training mission with the National Guard when his 
Black Hawk helicopter crashed.
  Christian joined the U.S. Army shortly following 9/11 as an 
infantryman and became a helicopter pilot in 2008. He was a veteran of 
both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he flew MEDEVAC missions and 
saved countless lives. In the wake of Hurricane Florence in 2018, 
Christian and his unit rescued 87 people, along with numerous cats and 
dogs.
  In his civilian life, Christian served as a helicopter pilot for the 
New York State Police. Shortly before he passed, Christian was honored 
by the Red Cross

[[Page H4809]]

of Western New York for his role in rescuing an 11-year-old boy who had 
become trapped in a deep gorge.
  Christian was truly a selfless servant. As his sister-in-law told the 
local news following his passing: ``There are many, many people walking 
this Earth right now who owe their lives to Christian.''
  Above all else, Christian was a devoted family man. He leaves behind 
his loving wife, Teressa, and his children, Everett, Addison, Ari, and 
Talia.
  Christian was a model citizen. He was the kind of American we all 
should strive to be. He leaves behind a profound legacy of selfless 
service to our Nation and a deep impact to his community, our 
community. Our Nation mourns him as a hero.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this brave veteran for 
his service and sacrifice to our Nation and pass the legislation to 
designate the Honeoye Falls Post Office as the CW4 Christian J. Koch 
Memorial Post Office.

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