[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21392]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO VORN JAMES MACK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 2003

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory 
of a courageous young man, Private First Class Vorn James Mack of 
Orangeburg, South Carolina who recently passed away while valiantly 
serving his country in Iraq.
  Vorn Mack was a 2002 graduate of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School in 
Orangeburg, South Carolina. While at Orangeburg- Wilkinson, Mack, an 
honor student, was taught by one of my staffers who remembers him as 
being a very intelligent, well mannered and driven young man. While in 
high school Vorn had a particular interest in computers, mathematics, 
and serving in the military. His high school guidance counselor said 
``he always had an interest in the military, because he wanted to see 
the world and because his father and sister had careers in the Army.''
  Vorn belonged to a family known for its military service and 
patriotism. Six of his aunts and uncles are military retirees, and five 
members of his family currently serve, including his older sister 
Aquanette who is currently stationed in the Middle East.
  After his graduation from high school, Vorn enlisted in the United 
States Army and underwent basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. 
After successfully completing basic training, Vorn was sent to Fort 
Gordon, Georgia where he received advanced infantry training in 
information systems management. After this training, Vorn was assigned 
to Fort Carson, Colorado where he served in Headquarters and 
Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Three 
months after his arrival in Colorado, Vorn and his regiment were 
deployed to Iraq.
  While in Iraq, Vorn belonged to a force assigned to guard the 
Hadithah Dam, west of Ar Ramadi, Iraq. This dam was crucial to the 
United States operation because it provided electricity to a large 
portion of Iraq and was viewed as a possible target for terrorist acts.
  In his obituary, Vorn's family stated ``He had no fear, never afraid 
to accept a challenge, whether it was work, school, or even in the 
United States Army, Vorn excelled in every aspect of his short life.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in this tribute 
to Vorn Mack for the outstanding service and contribution he provided 
the Nation, the State of South Carolina and his beloved community of 
Orangeburg. Vorn will always be remembered for his dedication and 
commitment to freedom.

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