[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JASON GUYTON

 Mr. TUBERVILLE. Madam President, this month, I am proud to 
recognize U.S. Army Veteran Jason Guyton of Toney, AL.
  Some of Jason's favorite childhood memories were trying on his dad's 
Navy uniform and flipping through photo albums from his grandad's time 
in the Navy. Even as a young boy, he recognized the importance of their 
military service and admired their sacrifice.
  After a successful wrestling career at Howard University, where he 
became the first freshman in school history to compete for a NCAA 
Division I Championship, Jason decided to follow in his dad and 
grandad's footsteps. But instead of joining the Navy, Jason enlisted in 
the U.S. Army Reserves as a chemical operations specialist, while also 
keeping his day job as an operations manager at West Corporation. 
During his time in the Reserves, Jason was deployed to Operation 
Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, where he ensured sites were safe 
from nuclear chemicals and biological threats.
  Like many veterans, the challenges of serving our country did not end 
after Jason's 12 years in the military. He experienced several personal 
setbacks, causing him to fall on hard times financially and become 
homeless. But thanks to his military training and support from 
veterans' groups, Jason overcame his situation and channeled his 
experience into a career in financial services.
  Now, Jason serves as a member experience advocate for Avadian Credit 
Union at its Huntsville location. He is very open about his struggles 
because he wants other veterans to know that they, too, can overcome 
any challenges they face after their military service.
  Additionally, Jason is very active in Madison County, where he is 
involved in several local outreach efforts. Although he is not an 
Alabama native, after finding out Huntsville was the home of the U.S. 
Space and Rocket Center through an Internet search, Jason decided he 
wanted to call Madison County home. So he moved to the area nearly 30 
years ago, and has been giving back ever since.
  He uses his talents to coach wrestling for students between ages 5 
and 12, serving as a positive influence for hundreds of athletes whom 
he has mentored throughout the years. Jason says his greatest success 
is watching those he has coached compete at a higher level.
  And his influence doesn't end with being a coach. Jason's son, Tre, 
also decided to join the Navy and become a fourth-generation 
servicemember in the Guyton family. Jason's story is an example of 
overcoming hardship and using it to help others, and we salute his 
service to the Madison County community.

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