[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  WELCOMING CHAPLAIN MAJOR TROY BATES

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self) 
is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Chaplain Major Troy 
Bates to the U.S. House of Representatives.
  He currently serves as the garrison family life chaplain at West 
Point. He was direct commissioned into the Army Chaplain Corps in 
August of 2009 as a reserve chaplain for the 478th Civil Affairs 
Battalion.
  Chaplain Bates has provided spiritual support for our troops in 
harm's way in six combat deployments. He first deployed as the 
battalion chaplain from the 25th Infantry Division to Afghanistan. He 
then became a member of the 10th Special Forces Group, my old group. 
Chaplain Bates deployed twice to Afghanistan with the Special Forces 
Group and once to Africa. He then joined the XVIII Airborne Corps and 
deployed again to Iraq, and then became a JSOC chaplain and deployed to 
a classified location.
  He has had an extensive education, including attending many military 
schools, and winning numerous awards, leading off with the Bronze Star.
  Especially interesting and meaningful to me, he has the U.S., 
British, Canadian, Italian, and German Jump Wings, as well as the 
Combat Action Badge.
  His education includes an associate of arts from the Pacific Coast 
Baptist Bible College, a bachelor of science from Baptist Bible 
College, a master of arts from Liberty University, a master of divinity 
in religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, and a master of 
arts in counseling from Webster University.
  He is joined by his wife today, Duchess. They have five children, 
three of whom serve in the military today. I thank Chaplain Major Troy 
Bates for not only his service but his legacy and his family.

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