[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 421-422]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     FIGHTING THE WAR ON TERRORISM

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I rise to talk about several issues. 
First, of course, we all know so well that we are involved now in this 
war on terrorism, and I wanted to speak a moment about that, the fact 
that it affects us all. Since that terrible day on September 11, 
virtually none of us have been untouched by those acts of cowardice and 
the effort to break the American spirit. Fortunately, they did not 
succeed. We were shaken but probably strengthened from that. Our 
efforts to combat the production and proliferation of weapons require 
that we prepare forces in the Middle East, and everyone has a role in 
that.
  I just learned that one of my staff members will be called in the 
Reserve to active duty tomorrow. Sgt John Travis Deti of the Marine 
Corps Reserve will be serving as an operations specialist with the 
Marine Corps combat engineers.

[[Page 422]]

  He was promoted from legislative correspondent to legislative aide 
just 1 day before learning of his orders to report to duty. As a fellow 
marine, I know that Travis is ready to do what he can, prepared to 
serve his country. I am very proud of what he is doing during this 
difficult time. Travis, semper fi.

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