[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Pages 27201-27202]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep 
sense of gratitude to honor the live of a brave young man from Fort 
Wayne, IN. Specialist Brian H. Penisten, 28 years old, died in Al 
Fallujah on November 2, 2003, after the Chinook helicopter he was 
traveling in made a crash landing. Brian joined the Army with his 
entire life before him. He chose to risk everything to fight for the 
values Americans hold close to our hearts, in a land halfway around the 
world.
  Brian was the seventeenth Hoosier soldier to be killed while serving 
his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brian leaves behind his father, 
John Penisten, his mother, Mona, his fiancee, Johnna Loia, and his son, 
Trevor. Today, I join Brian's family, his friends, and the entire Fort 
Wayne community in mourning his death. While we struggle to bear our 
sorrow over his death, we can also take pride in the example he set, 
bravely fighting to make the world a safer place. It is this courage 
and strength of character that people will remember when they think of 
Brian, a memory that will burn brightly during these continuing days of 
conflict and grief.
  Before leaving to fight in Iraq, Brian Penisten told his mother that 
he was proud to be an American. Today, his family remembers him as a 
true American hero, and we honor the sacrifice he made while serving 
his country.
  Brian was born on March 30, 1975. He graduated from Bishop Dwenger 
High School, where he was a member of the wrestling team and was 
undefeated through the semi-State Championship in 1993. Friends and 
family members remember Brian for the inner drive he demonstrated in 
always challenging himself to be his best at whatever task lay at hand.
  After joining the Army, Brian left home to begin full-time duty at 
Fort Carson in Colorado. He was assigned to the 3rd Air Defense 
Artillery, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
  As I search for words to do justice in honoring Brian's sacrifice, I 
am reminded of President Lincoln's remarks as he addressed the families 
of the fallen soldiers in Gettysburg: ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot 
consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and 
dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power 
to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we 
say here, but it can never

[[Page 27202]]

forget what they did here.'' This statement is just as true today as it 
was nearly 150 years ago, as I am certain that the impact of Brian's 
actions will live on far longer than any record of these words.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Brian H. Penisten in the 
official record of the United States Senate for his service to this 
country and for his profound commitment to freedom, democracy and 
peace. When I think about this just cause in which we are engaged, and 
the unfortunate pain that comes with the loss of our heroes, I hope 
that families such as Brian's can find comfort in the words of the 
prophet Isaiah who said, ``He will swallow up death in victory; and the 
Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.''
  May God grant strength and peace to those who mourn, and may God 
bless the United States of America.
  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate and pay 
tribute to Mr. Umberto P. Fedeli of Gates Mills, OH as a 2003 Ellis 
Island Medal of Honor recipient.
  The prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor award is presented 
annually to ``remarkable Americans who exemplify outstanding qualities 
in both their personal and professional lives,'' and ``who have 
distinguished themselves as citizens of the United States, while 
continuing to preserve the richness of their particular heritage.''
  Umberto P. Fedeli is such an American. In addition to creating a 
business in Ohio and being active in numerous charitable causes, 
Umberto has maintained strong ties to the Italian American community. 
I've often said, ``show me someone who is proud of their ethnic 
heritage and I'll show you a great American!''
  Mr. Fedeli's parents immigrated from Lascio, Italy to the same 
neighborhood in which I grew up--the Collinwood neighborhood of 
Cleveland, OH. He learned many important lessons from his father, 
Umberto, Sr. including a philosophy of life which is based on 
integrity, loyalty, civic responsibility and a strong work ethic.
  In his early 20s, Mr. Fedeli formed a partnership which led to the 
creation of his own insurance company, The Fedeli Group which he built 
to one of the top 100 insurance firms in the nation. Today his company 
employs 85 people and provides a range of insurance products and 
services--property, general liability, life, health, workmen's 
compensation and estate planning. It provides insurance for over 3,000 
businesses and, remarkably, has averaged nearly 20 percent growth per 
year for 20 years.
  The Fedeli Group has received many industry awards and has been named 
several times as winner of the Weatherhead 100's fastest growing 
companies in northeastern Ohio.
  Through the years, Mr. Fedeli has been active in Ohio politics--
serving on advisory committees for my campaigns, those of Senator Mike 
DeWine and countless other state, local and national candidates.
  As Governor-elect of Ohio in 1991, I appointed Umberto Fedeli to my 
gubernatorial transition team and after I took office, I was pleased to 
appoint him to the Ohio Turnpike Commission where he served as chairman 
for 6 years. Under his leadership, the turnpike's resources served as a 
catalyst for growth and economic development. In fact, as Governor, I 
noted that ``Umberto's leadership will be remembered as the Turnpike 
Commission's most energetic and accomplished era.'' I still believe 
that today. Umberto Fedeli was the best leader of the turnpike aside 
from the man who created it.
  Mr. Fedeli is very involved in his community and is a friend to 
countless people in northeast Ohio, across the State--and throughout 
our Nation. He values serving others above all else, including his 
family, his church, his clients and his community.
  He has been named Man of the Year for both the Italian-American 
Sports Hall of Fame and the Americans of Italian Heritage. In 1995, he 
was recognized by the John Carroll University Business School as one of 
``Fifty of Its Finest.''
  Umberto serves as chairman of the Cleveland Chapter of Legatus, an 
international group of Catholic CEOs for which he also serves on the 
International Board of Directors. He was recognized as 2002 Officer of 
the Year for Legatus, and became a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre of 
Jerusalem, administered by the Holy See, in 1998.
  He received both the Grand Illusion Award for the Ohio Cancer 
Research Associates and the National Multiple Sclerosis Norman Cohn 
Hope Award for philanthropic and community service. In 2000 he was 
honored by the Italian Federation with its Columbian Award and 2003 Man 
of the Year for the Christ Child Society.
  In 1995, Umberto was instrumental in the formation of the Northern 
Ohio Italian American Foundation, a group of prominent business people 
who lend philanthropic support to various groups in northeast Ohio and 
which he presently serves as chairman.
  In 1997, the Northern Ohio Italian American Foundation established 
the Bishop Anthony M. Pilla Institute of Italian American Studies at 
John Carroll University.
  Umberto is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Cleveland 
Clinic Foundation, the Board of Trustees at John Carroll University and 
trustee of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese Foundation.
  Mr. Fedeli cares deeply for others and gives witness to his faith in 
God every day by helping people he knows well and those he has never 
met. He gives witness to the second great commandment, ``Love thy 
neighbor as thyself'' at every opportunity.
  He is a role model in every sense of the word: in terms of his 
devotion to his family, his success in business and his contributions 
to his ``extended family'' in the community.
  He and his wife Maryellen, whom he describes as the only girlfriend 
he ever had, have been married for 19 years and have five children.
  Umberto Fedeli is indeed a remarkable American of the highest 
integrity in both his personal and professional life. He has made many 
outstanding contributions to the Italian American community, to his 
local community and to America.
  I am proud to recognize my friend, Umberto P. Fedeli and congratulate 
him on this wonderful honor.
  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise to express my sympathy over the loss 
of Daniel Bader, a fellow Nebraskan and staff sergeant in the United 
States Army. Sergeant Bader was killed on November 2 near Fallujah, 
Iraq when the Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down. Sergeant 
Bader was one of 15 soldiers killed and 25 wounded en route to the 
United States for two weeks of leave. He was 28 years old.
  Sergeant Bader served in the 3rd Armored Cavalry, Tiger Squadron, 
based in Fort Carson, CO. He was deployed to Iraq on April 4, 2003.
  A York, NE, native, Sergeant Bader was a dedicated soldier who was 
committed to his family and country. He joined the military shortly 
after graduating from high school and ``absolutely loved'' his career 
in the Army, said his wife, Tiffany. In addition to his wife, Sergeant 
Bader leaves behind a 14-month-old daughter, Taryn Makenzie. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with them both at this difficult time.
  Sergeant Bader and thousands of brave American service men and women 
confront danger every day in Iraq. Their tremendous risks and 
sacrifices must never be taken fro granted. For his service, bravery, 
and sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in 
honoring SGT Daniel Bader.

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