[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 30, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF ARMY PFC DAVID EVANS, 
   JR., WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION PROTECTING OTHERS WHILE SERVING IN 
                        OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 30, 2023

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
memory and accomplishments of David Evans, Jr., on the 20th anniversary 
of his passing. He was an exemplary young man who lost his life serving 
our country.
  David enlisted in the Army after graduating in 2002 from Kensington 
High School, in Buffalo, N.Y. His dream was to become a military police 
officer and FBI agent. He was killed in an explosion May 25, 2003 while 
on duty with the 977th Military Police Company, guarding a ammunitions 
site in Diwaniyah, Iraq.
  His mother, Esther Macklin, stated that at first, she questioned his 
decision to join the military, but once he had his mind made up, there 
was no changing it. ``I had to let David go and become the man he 
wanted to become.'' She went on to state, ``I'm so very proud of him, 
even now, I've come to accept the loss. I have faith that God has my 
son now.''
  David had hoped that the military would lead him to a career in law 
enforcement. He had a calling to public service that led him to intern 
at Buffalo City Hall while still in high school. He also liked hip-hop 
music, basketball, football and cross country running. Most of all, 
when speaking of David, his friends, family, and teachers all brought 
up his smile. People talked about how infectious it was, and that when 
you looked at him, it made you want to smile too, and no matter what 
the circumstances were, he was happy and always wanted to look on the 
bright side of everything.
  Today, I ask that you join me in remembering and honoring the life of 
PFC David Evans, Jr., an exemplary young man who is remembered and 
missed by many.

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