[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 23687]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 23687]]

                    IN MEMORY OF RONALD SCOTT OWENS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to salute Petty 
Officer Third Class Ronald Scott Owens, one of the 17 crewmen who gave 
his life last week in the defense of our Nation. Petty officer Owens' 
life was lost when terrorists attacked the U.S.S. Cole. On August 8 of 
this year Petty Officer Owens left for a 6-month tour of duty aboard 
the U.S.S. Cole, serving on board as an electronics warfare technician.
  We as a Nation honor the life of this young Vero Beach resident and 
all those who were lost.
  Scott was born on October 31, 1975, and died serving and defending 
his fellow countrymen on October 11.
  This tragic event makes this the worst terrorist attack on the 
American military since the terrorist attack on a U.S. Air Force 
housing complex near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in 1996. That event killed 
19 troops, including several airmen from Florida.
  Scott is remembered by his crew mates as an inspiration and one that 
was always there to help support his fellow crewmen.
  He was known as a happy-go-lucky guy who knew how to make everyone 
feel special. He is also remembered for his volunteer work with the 
fire and rescue squad. He served his community both in uniform and out 
of uniform.
  I cannot begin to state how profoundly saddened I was to learn of 
Scott's untimely death. My prayers and condolences go out to his wife, 
Jaime, his 4-year-old daughter, Isabella, his entire family and the 
community of Vero Beach that is dealing with the shock of this tragic 
news.

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