[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 211 (Monday, December 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H5864-H5867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF UNITED STATES ARMY SPECIALIST
SARAH BECKSTROM AND UNITED STATES AIR FORCE STAFF SERGEANT ANDREW
WOLFE, WHO WERE TRAGICALLY SHOT IN WASHINGTON, D.C., IN A TARGETED
ASSAULT AGAINST UNITED STATES SERVICE MEMBERS ON NOVEMBER 26, 2025
Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 923) a resolution honoring the service and
sacrifice of United States Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and United
States Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who were tragically shot
in Washington, D.C., in a targeted assault against United States
servicemembers on November 26, 2025, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 923
Whereas, on the afternoon of November 26, 2025, members of
the National Guard on patrol in Washington, D.C. as part of
the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force were violently
assaulted with gunfire in a vicious, targeted attack;
Whereas United States Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and
United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, both
members of the West Virginia National Guard, sustained severe
gunshot wounds during the attack;
Whereas Specialist Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries and
passed away surrounded by her loved ones on November 27,
2025, making the ultimate sacrifice in service to her
country;
Whereas Staff Sergeant Wolfe was hospitalized before a
transfer to an in-patient rehabilitation facility;
Whereas United States Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who
was 20 years old at the time of her passing, was from
Summersville, West Virginia, enlisted on June 6, 2023, weeks
after graduating with honors from Webster County High School,
and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th
Engineer Brigade of the West Virginia Army National Guard;
[[Page H5865]]
Whereas Specialist Beckstrom worked a civilian job as a
community engagement specialist at a Certified Community
Behavioral Health Center in Summersville, West Virginia that
provides mental health and substance use disorder treatment;
Whereas United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew
Wolfe, age 24, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, a graduate of
Musselman High School in Inwood, West Virginia, enlisted on
February 5, 2019, while still in high school, and was
assigned to the Force Support Squadron, 167th Airlift Wing of
the West Virginia Air National Guard;
Whereas, in his civilian job, Staff Sergeant Wolfe has
worked as a lineman with Frontier Communications since 2023,
which has benefitted his community by bringing connectivity
to more homes and businesses in West Virginia;
Whereas Specialist Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Wolfe have
both received an outpouring of support and praise from their
communities and from around the country as individuals who
served with distinction, earned the admiration and respect of
their communities, and acted selflessly and courageously on
behalf of others; and
Whereas Specialist Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Wolfe had
both recently volunteered to extend their deployments in
Washington, D.C. and continue their service to help keep the
Capital of the United States safe: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors the memory, service and sacrifice of United
States Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom for her dedicated
service to her State and to her country as a member of the
West Virginia National Guard;
(2) honors the service and sacrifice of United States Air
Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe for his dedicated service
to his State and to his country as a member of the West
Virginia National Guard;
(3) extends its sympathies, gratitude, and support for the
Beckstrom and Wolfe families for all they have endured and
will face because of this attack, as their love and support
have been the foundation of the service of Specialist
Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Wolfe to their State and the
United States;
(4) honors the bravery of National Guard members on the
scene who displayed courage and strength while under attack;
(5) expresses gratitude for the swift action of members of
the National Guard and first responders on the scene who
responded to the attack and apprehended the attacker;
(6) condemns in the strongest terms the horrific, violent
assault on United States servicemembers in the Capital of the
United States; and
(7) recognizes that the men and women who volunteer to
serve their communities and their country as members of the
National Guard represent the very best of the United States
of America.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Wittman) and the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
General Leave
Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, United States Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and United
States Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe were tragically shot just
before the Thanksgiving holiday here in Washington, D.C.
As members of the West Virginia National Guard on duty in the
Nation's Capital, Specialist Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Wolfe were
targeted and violently assaulted with a barrage of gunfire for doing
nothing less than performing their duty as a soldier and an airman.
Both of them sustained severe gunshot wounds during the attack.
Sadly, Specialist Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries and passed
away, surrounded by loved ones, on Thanksgiving Day, while Staff
Sergeant Wolfe remains in recovery. We wish him speedy success in that
effort to be back on his feet.
These two young guardsmen represent the best of what our Nation has
to offer, making this horrific attack a truly devastating loss not just
for those who knew them, served with them, and loved them, but it is,
indeed, a tragic event for our entire Nation.
Specialist Beckstrom was 20 years old at the time of her passing. An
excellent student and dedicated guardsman, she graduated with honors
from Webster County High School in West Virginia. Weeks later, on June
6, she joined the West Virginia National Guard. Sarah embodied selfless
service.
In Sarah's civilian job, she worked as a community engagement
specialist at a certified community behavioral health clinic that
provides mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment to those
in need. She recently volunteered to extend her deployment here in
Washington, D.C.
Sarah was admired by all who knew her. She served admirably and with
distinction, and I would argue she is admired even by those who didn't
know her for her selfless sacrifice on behalf of her colleagues in West
Virginia, but also on behalf of grateful citizens across our Nation.
We honor her dedication, honor her service, and express our deepest
condolences to her loved ones.
Sarah will indeed be missed, but her legacy will live on. Her
selfless sacrifice will live on in the hearts and minds of her fellow
citizens in West Virginia, but also those of us across the Nation.
Staff Sergeant Wolfe enlisted in the West Virginia National Guard
before he even finished high school. At 24 years old, he voluntarily
requested to continue his mission here in Washington, D.C., through the
holidays.
A dedicated airman, Andrew is also an asset to his community, his
State, and our Nation. As a lineman with Frontier Communications,
Andrew brought connectivity and communications to many communities
across West Virginia, in many areas that needed it the most.
Andrew was dedicated to making sure that people had that connectivity
and had that connection to the internet that they needed just for the
basic elements of life, but also for educational opportunities.
Like Sarah, Andrew proved himself to be a selfless warrior, serving
with distinction and earning the admiration of all who knew him.
We join with his friends and family in praying for his full recovery,
and we hope his journey to healing is swift and painless.
I would be remiss if I did not thank the first responders, law
enforcement, and National Guardsmen and -women who acted quickly to
subdue the threat and provide first aid. They acted with courage and
bravery while under fire to protect the people of Washington, D.C.
Mr. Speaker, this is what makes our Nation great, folks who are
willing to serve our Nation, like Sarah and Andrew, who are willing to
don the cloth of this Nation, willing to provide that selfless
sacrifice, willing to put their lives on the line each and every day
for what we all believe in, that great Constitution of our United
States of America.
Today, we honor and recognize their selfless service and understand
what it takes in those dangerous situations to truly guard this beacon
of freedom and liberty here in our great United States of America.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. TOKUDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to join my colleagues in
honoring the life and service of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and in
lifting up Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe as he continues his
recovery after the shooting that wounded them both while deployed to
Washington, D.C.
{time} 1510
Mr. Speaker, Specialist Beckstrom was only 20 years old when she died
on November 27, 2025, from her injuries. She was a daughter, a student,
an athlete, a caregiver, and a soldier.
In her civilian life, as we heard, she worked at a behavioral health
clinic in Summersville, West Virginia, helping others heal. She
initially joined the Army to help pay for college. She soon found a
deeper calling in service, proudly serving as a military police
officer.
At Webster County High School, she excelled both in the classroom and
on the softball field, studied health science, and participated in the
JROTC, learning early the values of citizenship, duty, and service in a
democracy.
She dreamed of a future in law enforcement, possibly with the FBI, a
dream rooted in her desire to protect others and to be a part of
something greater than herself. Her life was far too short, but her
example will endure.
[[Page H5866]]
Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, just 24 years old, also exemplifies that
same quiet dedication to country. A lineman in his civilian life and a
force management airman in the West Virginia Air National Guard, he
serves in a role that rarely makes headlines but is essential to the
readiness and effectiveness of our Armed Forces. His work ensures that
our people, resources, and missions are aligned so the military can
function when it matters most.
A graduate of high school in Inwood, West Virginia, Staff Sergeant
Wolfe joined the Guard in 2019, stepping forward to serve, while
building a life at home. I am encouraged by reports of his progress and
that he is now breathing on his own and standing without assistance. I
join all who are rooting for his full and speedy recovery.
Specialist Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Wolfe represent the very best
of our Nation. They are young Americans, driven by service, compassion,
and a sense of duty. Their willingness to step forward and to serve
their communities and their country reflects the highest ideals of
military and public service.
Mr. Speaker, there is no place in a civil and democratic society for
this kind of violence. I am deeply grateful to all who wear the uniform
and to the families and the loved ones who stand behind them, often
bearing the quiet burden and heavy sacrifices on their own.
I thank Representatives Miller and Moore for bringing forward H. Res.
923, and I am extremely proud to support its passage.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
West Virginia (Mrs. Miller).
Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong
support of H. Res. 923, which honors the service and the sacrifice of
two of our West Virginia National Guard members: United States Army
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and United States Air Force Staff Sergeant
Andrew Wolfe.
These two courageous National Guardsmen were tragically shot in
Washington, D.C., in a targeted assault against United States
servicemembers on November 26 of this year.
Specialist Beckstrom was just 20 years old. She succumbed to her
injuries on Thanksgiving Day. Sarah was a recent graduate of Webster
High School. Her friends remember her as a true peacekeeper. She
dreamed of becoming an FBI agent and held a deep and unwavering love
for her country.
Her loss is deeply felt across West Virginia and by a grateful Nation
that she served with honor. I urge my colleagues to join me in praying
for her friends and her family as they continue to grieve from this
tragic loss.
Staff Sergeant Wolfe is 24 years old and from Martinsburg, West
Virginia. He graduated from Musselman High School and enlisted in the
National Guard while he was still a student in high school. He was
assigned to the Force Support Squadron, the 167th Airlift Wing of the
West Virginia National Guard.
Just yesterday, Staff Sergeant Wolfe was discharged from the hospital
and is now recovering at an inpatient rehabilitation facility. By the
grace of God and through his steadfast grit, he has made steady
improvements since last month's attack. He was recently able to sit in
a chair and enjoy time with friends and family visiting him.
His mother credits his miraculous improvement to the healing hand of
God. I urge my colleagues to continue to pray for Staff Sergeant
Wolfe's recovery, for the medical teams assisting him, and for his
friends and family as they support him through this journey of healing.
Our servicemembers represent the very best in the United States. I am
honored to join my fellow West Virginia Representative, Congressman
Riley Moore, in introducing this resolution, recognizing these two
incredible individuals and memorializing their selfless service to our
country.
Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
West Virginia (Mr. Moore).
Mr. MOORE of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in strong
support of this resolution. I can't believe I am standing here and
talking about this. I really can't. The tragic nature of this is
unfathomable.
Myself and my colleague, Carol Miller, were at Sarah Beckstrom's
funeral just recently in Grafton, West Virginia, in my district. I
can't imagine being her parents, watching her parents and her sister
all receive that folded flag. It is just heartbreaking. I am a father
of a son and two daughters. Watching her father just grieve in that
manner is just unimaginable. It really puts me at a loss for words.
Something that stuck with me about that entire service, that funeral,
for Sarah is they talked about her graduation cap. When she graduated
high school, she wrote on her cap from Philippians 4:13: ``I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me.'' That is what she chose to
write on her graduation cap: ``I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.''
Just hearing that at that funeral strengthened me. I think it
strengthened a lot of us there. I think it is the reason we have seen
the miraculous recovery of Andy.
Andy Wolfe, as we heard, graduated from Musselman High School. That
is 20 minutes down the road from me. His father is a deputy sheriff in
the county next to mine.
In West Virginia, we live in small communities. We all know each
other. We are all hurting over this tremendously.
This young lady lost her life when that shouldn't have ever happened.
Some Islamic radical terrorist took her life on the streets of
Washington, D.C. It is just so tragic.
Out of the tragedy, I think there is some triumph in that the power
of prayer has been proven in the recovery of Andy Wolfe. I know myself,
my wife, and my family have been praying nonstop for his recovery, Mr.
Speaker. It has worked. It has truly worked. His mom, Melody, has been
begging everyone to continue to pray.
Mr. Speaker, I urge everybody on both sides of this aisle, on both
sides of this building, and all across this country to continue to pray
for Andy and his family.
I would point out that in the State of West Virginia, we have some of
the highest service in the country as it relates to per capita service
in the military. We are proud. West Virginians are proud to wear that
uniform and serve their country.
God bless the Beckstrom family. God bless the Wolfe family. God bless
this great Nation. May Sarah rest in peace.
Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from West Virginia
for his heartfelt comments, as well as Mrs. Miller.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Carter).
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding time. I thank Representative Miller and Representative Wittman
for presenting this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Representative
Miller's resolution honoring the service and sacrifice of United States
Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and United States Air Force Staff
Sergeant Andrew Wolfe.
Mr. Speaker, on November 26, in an act of terror, Sarah Beckstrom was
tragically taken from us. She served her country with honor and with
dedication. Her loss is felt deeply by her family, by her friends,
fellow servicemembers, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
{time} 1520
This resolution recognizes her service to our great Nation, and it
extends our heartfelt condolences to those who mourn her passing.
We also honor Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who courageously answered
our Nation's call to serve and was critically injured in the same
heinous attack. As he continues his recovery, we are praying for his
healing and strength for his family and the medical professionals who
are caring for him. His courage, resilience, and his commitment to duty
reflect the very best of our Armed Forces.
Mr. Speaker, today we honor Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, and we
recognize their service, their strength, and their sense of duty to our
country.
Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, as we have heard from Mr. Carter, from Mrs. Miller, and
from Mr. Moore, Sarah and Andrew, known at home as Andy, are really two
individuals who we should all model
[[Page H5867]]
ourselves after--that selfless service and what they did not just at
home in their communities but for what they did for the State of West
Virginia and what they did for our Nation.
They are the examples of what makes this Nation great--individuals
willing to put their lives on the line for something bigger than
themselves, for that foundation of what we all believe in, in this
Nation: what our Constitution guarantees, those freedoms and liberties
that make the United States the greatest Nation the world has ever
known.
Mr. Speaker, we are blessed to live in a nation that has individuals
like Sarah and Andy who are willing to put their lives on the line for
those principles. Our Nation was a nation founded on an idea--an idea
that all are created equal and that we have those inalienable rights
given to us by our creator, and folks are willing to sacrifice
everything in order to preserve those basic liberties and freedoms.
This is just incredible.
When we gather together today to remember the selfless sacrifices of
Sarah and Andy, it should make us all come together in the sense of
what makes this Nation great. It should make us all never forget how
thankful we are for those who serve our Nation in uniform, and not just
those who serve in the military but those who came to Sarah and Andy's
call when they were injured, those first responders and those law
enforcement individuals. We are blessed to have a nation of people
willing to give of themselves for the greater purpose. That is, again,
what makes this Nation great.
As we know, Sarah and Andy were two of those great group of people
who I referred to. Unfortunately, in some sense, there are not as many
people who are interested in serving today, although we have recently
seen a resurgence in that, which is great--people willing to do
something that is greater than just themselves. We see before us that
selfless sacrifice which reminds us again of what makes this Nation
great, and we must never forget those sacrifices.
For the sacrifice of Sarah and Andy, who were viciously gunned down
just blocks away from the White House, we will never forget their
service to our Nation.
Mr. Speaker, instead of remembering them as victims of a hate crime,
we must remember, again, their selfless service and sacrifice, their
bravery, and their courage. That should make us all admire them as
individuals and admire those who are willing to make that ultimate
sacrifice.
We grieve with Sarah's friends and family. We pray that their grief
begins to subside and that they can remember Sarah for the incredible
legacy that she has left behind and for all the good that she has done
here on Earth.
We stand with Andy and his friends and family in support of his
recovery. It is great to hear from Mr. Moore that he is back home and
back on that steady path to recovery. This is all great news.
We thank both of them for their selfless sacrifice to our Nation. We
thank the citizens of West Virginia for what they do in providing that
National Guard presence. We also thank our Nation that puts together
these great men and women to serve a greater cause.
Mr. Speaker, again, I wish our Nation the best in the years to come.
I wish all of those who selflessly serve our Nation nothing but God's
continued blessings.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 923, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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