[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Pages 24492-24493]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, in recent months I have risen on several 
occasions to pay tribute to the men and women who are fighting in Iraq 
and Afghanistan in support of the global war on international terror. 
Today I rise once again to pay tribute and to honor an Arkansas native 
recently who died last week in Afghanistan--LTC Paul Kimbrough, a 
native of Little Rock, AR. He was 44 years old.
  Paul Kimbrough graduated from Little Rock's Parkview High School in 
1977. Four years later, he graduated from the University of Central 
Arkansas in Conway with a degree in political science. He joined the 
U.S. Army before returning to complete his education at the University 
of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, where he headed up the Black 
Law Students Association. Paul followed his commitment to public 
service into the political arena, first working on the staff of U.S. 
Representative Ray Thornton, and then running in his own campaign for a 
seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives. He lost that race, but 
that didn't slow him down. Paul's next challenge took him to 
Washington, DC, where he came to work in the U.S. Department of 
Transportation in the inspector-general's office.
  Lieutenant Colonel Kimbrough remained active in the U.S. Army 
reserve, and in June he was deployed to Afghanistan with the 416th 
Engineer Command, where he helped to oversee improvements to living 
conditions for soldiers at Bagram Air Base. On October 3, he was flown 
to Incirlik, Turkey, for medical treatment. He died of cardiac arrest 
en route to Turkey.
  His family and friends remember him as a true leader--driven, 
determined, and deeply committed to his country and its cause. In a 
message to his colleagues at the Department of Transportation sent 
before he left for Afghanistan, Paul wrote, ``Always there echoes in my 
mind: duty, honor, and country. Therefore, I will do my duty as God has 
given me light to see.''
  LTC Paul Kimbrough is survived by his father, Major Kimbrough; his 
son, Paul Kimbrough, Jr.; his four brothers; and his sister. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in extending our deepest condolences to Paul's 
family and friends.
  Paul Kimbrough's resolve and his commitment to his country will not 
be forgotten. The mission continues in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we 
remain confident that Paul Kimbrough's courage and sacrifice will have 
been given in a worthy cause.
  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise to express my sympathy over the loss 
of Christopher Swisher, a fellow Nebraskan and staff sergeant in the 
United States Army. Sergeant Swisher was killed last week when his 
squadron was attacked while on a mission in Baghdad, Iraq. He was 26 
years old.
  Sergeant Swisher was one of thousands of brave American servicemen 
and women fighting in Iraq. Our soldiers confront danger everday--their 
tremendous risks and sacrifices must never be taken for granted.
  A Lincoln native, Sergeant Swisher was a dedicated soldier who was 
committed to his family and country. His life-long interest in the 
military led him to overcome a learning disability and embark on a 
successful career in the Army.
  On the frontlines of the war in Iraq, Sergeant Swisher demonstrated 
the courage of a leader and an American hero. Before his deployment, 
Sergeant Swisher told his mother, Sharon; ``I'm doing what I want to be 
doing because I'm protecting my family, my home,

[[Page 24493]]

and my country.'' In addition to his mother, Sergeant Swisher leaves 
behind a wife, Kristen; daughter, Alexandria; brother, Terry; and 
sister, Lisa. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this 
difficult time.
  For his service, bravery, and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join 
me and all Americans in honoring SGT Christopher Swisher.

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