[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H2459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING PAT TILLMAN

  (Mr. GOSAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of the life and legacy 
of Patrick Daniel Tillman, Jr., of Arizona. April 22, 2024, marked the 
20th anniversary of Pat's tragic and untimely death at only 27 years 
old.
  As a scholar and a football star, Pat led Leland High School to the 
division championship and earned a football scholarship to Arizona 
State. His time at ASU was spent studying business and marketing and in 
athletic achievement as the Sun Devils' starting linebacker.
  In 1998, he was drafted to the NFL by the Arizona Cardinals. Again, 
he was a star, breaking the Cardinals' tackle record with 224 tackles 
in 2000 as a linebacker.
  After the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, Pat and his younger 
brother, Kevin, answered the call to service and enlisted in the United 
States Army. He was first deployed to Iraq with his brother in 2003 in 
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom but returned to Fort Benning, 
Georgia, to complete Ranger School. In 2004, Pat embarked on a second 
deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
  On April 22, 2004, in Spera, Afghanistan, Pat was tragically killed 
by friendly fire. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for 
making the ultimate sacrifice.

  Let us never forget his patriotism, leadership, and call to service. 
May we all be so eager to answer that call in our own lives for this 
wonderful country.
  My prayers are with the Tillman family and our Nation's Gold Star 
families and all United States servicemembers overseas. May God be with 
them all.

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