[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 65 (Thursday, April 10, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MATTHEW FINKE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAT FALLON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2025

  Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and 
service of Mr. Matthew Logan Finke of Bells, Texas, who peacefully 
passed away on September 25, 2024.
  Mr. Finke was born on July 27, 1987, in Denison, Texas. He attended 
Denison High School and graduated from Austin College in 2010 with a 
bachelor's degree in business, where he was a star athlete and captain 
of its football and baseball teams. In his outstanding football career, 
Mr. Finke was recognized numerous times as the All-Conference 
performer, Conference Player of the week, and the National Defensive 
Back of the week. He also earned the Shellie Hersch Special Teams 
Player of the Year and was named the Duke Babb Most Outstanding Player 
as a senior. Upon graduating, Mr. Finke heeded the call to serve his 
nation and joined the United States Army to serve as an Orthopedic 
Technician. In 2019, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation 
Inherent Resolve as the Movement and Security Non-Commissioned Officer 
In-Charge.
  Mr. Finke received a battlefield promotion for his contributions to 
the war effort against terrorist forces in this operation and also 
earned his Air Assault Badge, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in 
Gold, and Norwegian Ruck March Badge. Moreover, Mr. Finke won first 
place in the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command NCO of the Year 
Best Warrior Competition, out of a cadre of 6,000 soldiers. Outside of 
his Army duties, Mr. Finke was a devoted husband to his wife, Chelsey, 
and a father to three beautiful daughters. He was an uplifting leader 
who enjoyed playing football with kids in his neighborhood and his Army 
buddies. You could always count on Mr. Finke to be there and push you 
to be better than you were yesterday, both physically and mentally. His 
legacy of compassion, integrity, and friendship will always be 
remembered.
  I have requested the United States flag be flown over our Nation's 
Capitol to recognize Mr. Finke's incredible life and service to our 
Nation. He will be dearly missed by his friends, family, and all who 
knew him.

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