[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 42 (Thursday, March 5, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H2427]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           RECOGNIZING MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT MICHAEL OLLIS

  (Ms. Malliotakis of New York was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Madam Speaker, this past Monday, I joined President 
Trump at the White House as he posthumously awarded United States Army 
Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis of Staten Island, New York, the Medal of 
Honor, the Nation's highest military honor that can be bestowed.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to share the bravery exhibited by my district's 
hometown hero.
  On August 28, 2013, Staff Sergeant Ollis gave his life weeks before 
his 25th birthday. He gave his life to save an allied soldier during a 
Taliban raid on Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan, after a 
truck carrying 3,000 pounds of explosives slammed into the base and 
terrorists advanced.
  Without wearing any armor, Staff Sergeant Ollis fired back, then 
chose selflessness and placed himself between a suicide bomber and a 
fellow allied soldier.
  He did not pause. He did not stop to calculate. He acted, knowing 
that the cost would be his life, but he chose to save the life of a 
NATO ally, Polish Second Lieutenant Karol Cierpica.

  Michael's courage, selflessness, and sacrifice represent the very 
best of our Nation, earning him the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver 
Star, Distinguished Service Cross, as well as the Grand Cross of the 
Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, the highest Polish decoration 
for a foreigner.
  On Staten Island, we are so proud of Michael. We have a ferry named 
after him. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9587 is also named for 
Michael. The Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation supports veterans and 
students in his memory, continuing his legacy of service to others.
  Yet, the Medal of Honor, a statement of national memory, tells the 
entire world and future generations of the courage, patriotism, 
sacrifice, and service exhibited by Michael Ollis. These are all values 
that the United States holds sacred.
  His final act requires no embellishment or argument. It stands on its 
own, resolute and selfless, and is worthy of the highest military 
recognition that our country can bestow.
  We are grateful to President Donald Trump for recognizing Staff 
Sergeant Ollis' extraordinary heroism.
  Today, I add this tribute to the official Congressional Record. We 
congratulate his family, especially his parents, Bob and Linda, who 
accepted the honor, and the entire Staten Island community, who worked 
tirelessly to ensure that the ultimate sacrifice made by our hometown 
hero, Michael Ollis, received the recognition that it deserves.
  Staff Sergeant Ollis may no longer be with us physically, but he 
lives on in our hearts and in our minds. His valor and devotion to our 
Nation and his fellow soldiers will never be forgotten by our proud 
community and by our grateful Nation.

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