[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

                                 ______
                                 

                         OKLAHOMA LOSS IN IRAQ

   Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, in the time since major combat in Iraq 
has ended and peacekeeping and transitional operations have begun, the 
United States, our allies and the Iraqi people have accomplished much.
   The men and women of our armed forces in particular deserve much 
praise for their diligence and bravery. They have been given the goal 
of establishing democracy in Iraq, and their success in this endeavor 
is directly linked to the freedom and security we enjoy in the 
homeland. A free and democratic Iraq will stand as a beacon of hope 
amidst one of the world's most troubled regions.
   Fortunately we are now seeing many of the fruits of their labor.
   Nearly 760,000 metric tons of food items have been dispatched into 
Iraq in just one months' time. Health care centers are receiving 
shipments of health care kits, refrigerators and furniture. Shipments 
of office supplies including furniture, computers and printers have 
been received in Iraq and will be used to equip seven essential 
government ministries.
   The Iraqi people are stepping up to provide leadership for their 
newly liberated country. Crops are being successfully planted in areas 
that have not produced for years. Iraqis are volunteering for the new 
Iraqi Army. The Iraqi Nurses Association has initiated a 2-day 
conference to lay the ground work for adequate nursing services in Iraq 
over the next ten years and close to 30,000 Iraqis have undergone 
training to be members of Iraq's new police force.
   More importantly, representative democracy in Iraq has taken shape. 
The Iraqi Governing Council has been formed and brings together 25 
political leaders from across Iraq. The council will name Iraqi 
ministers, represent the new country internationally, and draft a 
constitution that will pave the way for national elections leading to a 
fully sovereign Iraqi government.
   Recently, we have confirmed that Saddam Hussein's sons, Uday and 
Qusay have been killed in a firefight in Mosul. This development has 
led to an increase in tips from the Iraqi people, one of which led us 
to the capture of 660 surface to air missiles, as well as an increasing 
confidence among the Iraqi people.
   With two thirds of the Hussein regime gone, one has reason to hope 
that the final piece of the puzzle will soon follow.
   And this good news that we are witnessing in Iraq is a direct result 
of the hard work and dedication of our troops. Were it not for their 
courage and perseverance, our presence in Iraq would be in vain.
  Our military men and women will surely face more difficult days in 
Iraq, and the Iraqi people will be tested by the responsibilities that 
come with freedom. The thugs who propped up the previous regime and 
outside forces with goals of their own continue to cause problems, stir 
up trouble and initiate violence. Freedom is messy--nowhere more so 
than in a country that has just shaken off a brutal dictatorship.
  But today I rise to honor a man who made the ultimate sacrifice one 
can make for his country.
  On August 27, Specialist Rafael L. Navea, of Pittsburgh, PA was 
killed in Fallujah when an improvised explosive device struck his 
vehicle.
  Specialist Navea was stationed at Fort Sill and therefore an adopted 
Oklahoman. He was assigned to C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 5th Field 
Artillery Regiment, a Paladin unit in 212th Field Artillery Brigade. 
The unit deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi 
Freedom on April 12.
  Specialist Navea served his country well. Fort Sill and Oklahoma 
mourn his tragic death and now our prayers are with his family and 
friends. He is survived by his wife and children who reside in Lawton 
and his mother in Florida.
  As we watch the dawn of a new day in Iraq, let us never forget that 
the freedom we enjoy every day in America is bought at a price.
  Specialist Navea did not die in vain. He died so that many others 
would live freely. And for that sacrifice, we are forever indebted. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with him and his family today and with the 
troops who are putting their lives on the line in Iraq.

                          ____________________