[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26765]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          IN MEMORY OF 1LT DAVID R. BERNSTEIN OF THE U.S. ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 30, 2003

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great 
sadness and tremendous gratitude to honor the life of a brave young 
man, First Lieutenant David R. Bernstein, who made the ultimate 
sacrifice for our country. He died on Saturday, October 18, 2003, when 
his patrol was ambushed in Taza, Iraq. First Lieutenant Bernstein was 
just 24 years old.
  For me, the news of David's death was particularly shocking and hard 
to bear. I had the honor and privilege to nominate this fine young man 
to the United States Military Academy at West Point, a nomination that 
he accepted and fulfilled with exceptional honor, ability and 
accomplishment.
  First in his class at Phoenixville High School, where he excelled in 
swimming as well as academics, David was the Valedictorian of his High 
School Class of 1997. Upon entering West Point, he continued on his 
path of personal excellence by maintaining an arduous schedule of 
academics, training and sports, activities that distinguished him, and 
earned him the respect and admiration of his superior officers, 
instructors, and fellow cadets at the Academy. He graduated 5th in his 
class at West Point, and was one of the brightest stars among an 
incredible constellation of talent that graduated from the Academy in 
2001.
  Soon after graduation from West Point, David volunteered for Army 
Ranger School. He excelled there, acquiring additional skills and 
advanced training, and became Ranger qualified. Having a pick of 
assignments based on his standing at West Point, David chose duty close 
to the hot spots in the world, and joined the Army's 173rd Airborne 
Infantry Brigade, the storied ``911 squad'' of Europe, headquartered at 
Camp Ederle in Italy.
  As a member of the 1st of the 508th Regiment of the 173rd, Lieutenant 
Bernstein, parachuted into Northern Iraq in the early morning darkness 
on March 27 of this year, one of only approximately 1,000 soldiers from 
the 173rd sent to secure the Bashur airfield in the north of Iraq. As 
those who followed the war well know, this small band of soldiers 
performed magnificently and heroically behind enemy lines to establish 
the important ``second front'' in the struggle to liberate Iraq and the 
world from the grip of Saddam Hussein.
  This brave and gifted officer shouldered the burdens of command with 
uncommon ability, intelligence and grace. He was a natural leader who 
inspired those in his command, always leading by example and with an 
unwavering commitment and dedication to his men and to the service of 
his country.
  He last spoke with his parents, Richard and Gail Bernstein, only a 
week before his death. The call was brief, lasting less than 10 
minutes, because of the long line of soldiers waiting their own turn. 
In that short call David told his parents of the pride he felt for his 
men and their mission. He also conveyed his own sense of pride in being 
able to answer the call of duty by serving as an Army officer. As his 
father has said, David was ``a soldier who appreciated serving his 
country.''
  In his final moments, even though mortally wounded and under 
continuous enemy fire, Lieutenant Bernstein maneuvered his way to the 
driver's seat of his Humvee and moved the vehicle off of a soldier in 
his command who was trapped under its wheels and badly wounded. His 
unselfish act of bravery likely saved the life of his comrade.
  All of Pennsylvania mourns the loss of this brave and good young man 
who will be laid to rest this Friday, October 31, 2003 at West Point. 
Our hearts go out to his parents, Richard and Gail, to his sister 
Michelle, to his brother Doug, and to all of his friends and loved 
ones.
  Mr. Speaker, First Lieutenant David R. Bernstein, exemplified the 
spirit of service that has made this nation great. It is proper to 
remember and honor a man of such worth and character with great respect 
for what he stood for. Our pride in David shall live on--his life, his 
courage, his sacrifice and strength of character. The example of his 
citizenship and dedication to duty will be his enduring legacy. Mr. 
Speaker, at this time I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues 
to join me in honoring the memory, life and service of First Lieutenant 
David R. Bernstein, and in sending our heartfelt condolences to his 
family, his friends, and community.

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