[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27962]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      HONORING THE LIFE OF MASTER SERGEANT JEFFERSON DONALD DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM L. JENKINS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2001

  Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the Congress to honor 
the memory of Master Sgt. Jefferson Donald ``Donnie'' Davis, an 
American hero.
  Master Sgt. Davis was killed in action in Afghanistan on December 5th 
while participating in Operation Enduring Freedom. He was a member of 
the Army's 5th Special Forces Group stationed at Fort Campbell, 
Kentucky.
  Yesterday, Master Sgt. Davis was buried with full military honors 
near his birthplace in Watauga, Tennessee. He had made a career out of 
the military, serving in Korea, the Middle East during Operation Desert 
Storm, Somalia, and Afghanistan.
  It is the ultimate sacrifice when a soldier dies for his country. We 
are able to enjoy the freedoms we have today because of men like Master 
Sgt. Davis and the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have given 
their lives in the fight for American principles over the past 225 
years. Master Sgt. Davis knew the particular risks of being a Green 
Beret and gladly accepted them. He was aware of the immediate dangers 
faced by those men, the elite fighting soldiers that this country 
depends upon in times of crisis. Time and time again, Master Sgt. Davis 
answered the call of his country, left his family and home, and served 
with distinction wherever he was sent.
  Master Sgt. Davis was a professional soldier, a man who had earned 
the respect of his fellow soldiers, and he was remembered fondly by all 
whom had come to know him over the 39 years of his life. He was also 
remembered locally as the kind of young man that every parent wants his 
or her son to be like.
  I know I speak for the entire Congress when I extend sympathies to 
Master Sgt. Davis' wife Mi Kyong, his children Cristina and Jesse, his 
parents Lon and Linda, and the rest of his family and friends who are 
grieving during this difficult time.
  When the terrorists struck our country, our President made the 
difficult but appropriate decision to respond with our military. 
Throughout history, in any conflict involving American troops, 
Tennesseans have volunteered to serve. They have fought and died in 
every corner of the world to protect freedom. Master Sgt. Davis 
answered the call of his country, and his death will forever inscribe 
his name on the roll of heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice, 
giving their life in order to protect the lives of others. His efforts 
should remind us all that the liberties we enjoy do not come without a 
price. Let us always remember these costs, and always remember Master 
Sgt. Jefferson Donald Davis.

                          ____________________