[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 109 (Thursday, June 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E605-E606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL SNIPER COMPETITION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. FRENCH HILL

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 2023

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Staff Sergeant 
Benjamin Cotton and Staff Sergeant Alan Smith of the Arkansas Army 
National Guard for winning this year's International Sniper 
Competition.
  This competition allows soldiers to display their abilities in a 
rigorous environment designed to put their extensive training to test 
against 35 international teams.
  The team included New Mexico Army National Guard member Eric Vargas, 
and they completed three days straight testing of their shooting 
skills, physical endurance and problem solving as they took on a 
variety of scenarios with multiple weapons systems.
  Staff Sergeant Smith enlisted in 2003 and Staff Sergeant Cotton in 
2006.
  Both have deployed to Iraq and they've served as sniper team leaders 
and marksmanship instructors with the Army National Guard.
  In addition to serving their country, they serve our communities as 
firefighters.
  Their leadership abilities and mental fortitude earned them this 
competition, and I'm honored to add these men to my recognition for 
this outstanding accomplishment across 35 very competitive 
international teams.

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