[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 207 (Friday, December 15, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING SERGEANT JAMES EDWARD McDANIEL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
retired, tenacious, and self-motivated U.S. Army veteran, James Edward 
McDaniel.
  Sergeant McDaniel dedicated over three decades to serving in the U.S. 
Army Active Duty and Army Active Reserve. His versatile role included 
serving in various Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) such as 
communications, ammunition, maintenance, and as an instructor. Notably, 
he contributed as a training instructor at Camp Shelby, preparing young 
soldiers for deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. In 1991, Sergeant 
McDaniel played a vital role in the Persian Gulf war: Operation Desert 
Storm, serving as an ammunition specialist. He concluded his military 
career with retirement in 2006. Simultaneously, during his deployment 
to Operation Desert Storm, Sergeant McDaniel worked with Baxter 
Healthcare, where he eventually retired in 2016.
  Beyond his military career, Sergeant McDaniel is a passionate 
basketball and football enthusiast, actively supporting his 
grandchildren's sporting events across different locations. Having 
attended Shaw High School and played on the basketball team, he proudly 
contributed to the team's historic win of Shaw High School's first 
overall basketball State championship in 1973--an achievement still 
celebrated by the City of Shaw after 50 years. Interestingly, Sergeant 
McDaniel's grandson, part of the McEvans High School basketball team, 
mirrored this success by winning the State championship 50 years later. 
Sergeant McDaniel continues to attend local basketball and football 
games, offering valuable encouragement and sharing his wealth of 
knowledge with the student athletes. Currently, Sergeant McDaniel 
actively participates in local basketball and football games, offering 
valuable encouragement to student athletes. He shares his knowledge and 
provides insightful pointers on various plays and emphasizes the 
importance of good sportsmanship. Sergeant McDaniel firmly believes in 
the pivotal role of education, advocating for pursuits in 2- or 4-year 
colleges, trade schools, or even the military as valuable pathways to 
personal and professional growth. His life's path has shown that the 
military is a great career starter. Any of these routes will provide 
students with an avenue to a successful life.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sergeant 
James E. McDaniel for his passion for leadership and service to the 
United States of America.

                          ____________________