[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1467-H1468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN MAGNESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Green) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
of Desert Storm and Battle of Mogadishu veteran, John Magness, for his 
service to our country and to mourn his recent passing.
  Mr. Magness and I graduated from West Point together in 1986, after 
which he served 9 years in the United States Army. His early aviator 
years were spent with the 4th Squadron, 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment 
where he was charged with conducting border surveillance in his Cobra 
gunship along 454 miles of the Iron Curtain after which he spent 4 
years with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, proudly 
wearing the Night Stalkers name and supporting units like the Navy 
SEALs and Army Rangers.
  After time spent as a consultant for the United Arab Emirates, Mr. 
Magness dedicated his time and talent to developing and enriching our 
communities through his work with Hillwood Development Company.
  Where Air Force bases lay vacant and unused, such as Norton Air Force 
Base, Mr. Magness saw opportunity for flourishing. His efforts led to 
the commercial and industrial development of the San Bernardino base, 
now boasting of millions of square feet around the base. Fifteen years 
after he started this project, the development had contributed over 
$2.3 billion for the surrounding community.
  On May 18, 2010, Colonel John McHugh, another West Point class of 
1986 grad and dear friend of Mr. Magness was killed in action in Kabul, 
Afghanistan, by a suicide bomber. As a result of his tragic passing and 
his legacy, the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund was created by the West Point 
class of 1986 to help Colonel McHugh's family.
  The fund's mission quickly expanded to serve as many families as 
possible, giving back to those who gave their all. The fund honors 
military service and sacrifice by providing scholarships to veterans 
and military family members, especially to the children of fallen 
servicemembers. It has awarded over $30 million in scholarship funds 
since 2014 and supports 4,500 Johnny Mac scholars attending schools 
across this country.
  Having been a close friend of Colonel McHugh and a dedicated 
supporter of veterans, servicemembers, and their families, Mr. Magness 
dedicated himself to the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund. To raise money and 
awareness, Mr. Magness undertook the Aconcagua Challenge expedition, 
tackling the largest mountain outside of Asia located in Argentina.
  Undeterred by the 22,837-foot climb and exemplifying the West Point 
class of 1986 motto, ``courage never quits,'' Mr. Magness summited the 
mountain after 10 days of climbing, even after two of his three-man 
team had to cease the climb for medical reasons.
  Having conquered the mountain and accomplishing his mission, Mr. 
Magness succumbed to ensuing medical complications and passed away in 
the early morning hours of February 5, 2023.
  Night Stalkers don't quit even after leaving the military service for 
the private sector. Mr. Magness was a fierce supporter of the 
organization's mission and the personification of former President 
Teddy Roosevelt's ``The Man in the Arena,'' the man stained by ``dust 
and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly . . . who spends himself in 
a worthy cause.'' Mr. Magness died with his boots on serving his 
country and its heroes.
  Mr. Magness is survived by his wife, Angie, and their two children, 
Chelsea Shelburne and John Michael Magness, Jr. He was also a very 
proud grandfather of his 2-year-old grandson, Rhett.
  His family, friends, and colleagues all describe him as a man of 
strong Christian faith, a patriot, a loving father, a grandfather, a 
husband, a soldier, a hero, a servant leader, and a friend. Mr. 
Magness, or Magger as he was known by his friends, exemplified these 
characteristics and more, all the while serving the community that he 
loved so well.
  In both his life and in his death, Mr. Magness modeled service for 
all those around him. I was blessed to have

[[Page H1468]]

known him through our shared time at West Point and as a fellow Night 
Stalker, and I know he is greatly missed by his family and friends.
  John was buried at West Point yesterday, March 27, 2023, where he 
rests in peace having completed his mission on Earth.
  I will finish with the last stanza of the West Point alma mater:

     And when our work is done,
     Our course on Earth is run,
     May it be said, well done
     Be thou at peace.
     E'er may the line of gray
     Increase from day to day
     Live, serve, and die, we pray,
     West Point, for thee.

  Well done, John.

                          ____________________