[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7698-7703]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Madam President, I will take some time this morning 
to show some pictures that speak more than 1,000 words. They are 
pictures from the field. They show how the mightiest force in the world 
is connecting with people on an individual basis.
  I start with a picture showing PFC Joseph DeWitt, age 26, of the 7th 
Calvary Regiment carrying an Iraqi boy who was injured Tuesday, March 
26, in the fight at Al Faysaliyah. The picture speaks for what America 
is. Here is this private, 26 years old, carrying this little boy to 
safety. You can see the terror on his face, of the little boy who is 
saved today because Private DeWitt cared.
  An unidentified U.S. soldier gives candy to Iraqi boys as he patrols 
in the southern border city of Safwan, Friday, March 21. Waving Iraqi 
civilians greeted members of the 1st Marine Division as they entered 
the town of Safwan.
  An Iraqi child waves as a convoy of 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne 
Division drives through a southern Iraqi town Sunday, March 23, 2003.
  Children wave at members of the British 2nd Royal Tank Regiment as 
they arrive in Basra, southern Iraq, Saturday, March 22.
  All of the missing in action and POWs in this conflict are from Texas 
bases. They are either from Fort Hood or Fort Bliss.
  In addition to the great mission, I feel a personal connection in 
this conflict because I know the pain and agony the loved ones are 
going through at this time and, of course, I think every day, every 
hour, every minute about those who are actually in captivity or about 
whom we do not know. I have tried to make contact with as many as I 
could. It has been difficult because many of them are in such stress 
they probably do not want to talk to people they do not know or members 
of the press who might be calling them.
  I have not connected with all of them. However, every conversation I 
have had has been uplifting. I have gotten more out of these 
conversations than I could ever give back. I have talked this morning 
to Michelle Williams, the wife of CWO David Williams, from Fort Hood, 
one of those captured by the Iraqis when the Apache helicopter he was 
in crashed. Michelle is also in the service. She is at Fort Hood. I 
talked to her this morning. She has not been talking to the press but 
one of her major concerns is that somehow she could get a message to 
her husband: That she is thinking of him, that she loves him very much, 
that their children are fine, but she just wants some way to make sure 
that message gets to him--if it is the Red Cross that could take a 
letter; we will certainly try to be helpful, as the Army will try to be 
helpful--if it is a message he might hear, that she has given, we want 
to do everything possible to try to get that message to him. She is 
strong and brave and waiting for a happy reunion with her husband when 
he is able to come home.
  I talked to Mark Kennedy and his wife, Mrs. Kennedy, this morning. 
They are the parents of Brian Kennedy who was killed in action when his 
helicopter crashed in Kuwait. Brian was their only son. Again, they 
said to me the personal outpouring of support and love and attention 
they have received because of the loss of their son has made their 
ordeal better. They feel the Army has done everything it can to make 
this terrible situation as positive as possible. They asked me to take 
a message to the President, which I will certainly do. They said, 
please tell the President that they support him, that their son had 
called in just 2 days before he was lost. He said: Don't worry about 
me. We are good to go. We have been trained. We believe in this 
mission.
  Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy want us to know that they supported Brian 
Kennedy and what he was doing. They know the importance of this action 
to freedom for everyone in America.
  I will take that message to the President because these are people 
who have taken the greatest loss imaginable. They understand their son 
will be forever respected and revered by Americans in perpetuity, for 
the loss that they have and the giving of his life to make sure that 
our way of life is enduring in perpetuity, that freedom and America as 
the beacon of freedom to the world will prevail because of people such 
as Brian Kennedy and CWO David Williams.
  Those are just two families with whom I have had contact. They are 
very special people. Their families are very special people. We owe 
them a great debt of gratitude. I know all Americans feel that as well.
  I am pleased to be able to start this tribute to our troops as we 
will do every day our troops are in the field protecting us, to let 
them know how much we care and how brave we know they are as we watch 
on television the kinds of weather they are enduring, in addition to 
all of the normal horrors of war, sandstorms that are so thick it looks 
as if it is night when it is day. They are enduring a lot for us, and 
we want them to know we appreciate it.
  My last word is that I hope anyone who hears our message will not 
forget the Geneva Convention; that the treatment of our prisoners of 
war--and any we do not know who are prisoners--will be humane and in 
line with the Geneva Convention because I know for sure

[[Page 7699]]

America is giving medical treatment, food, water, and care to those 
Iraqi prisoners. We would always comply with the norms of war, 
including humane treatment of prisoners. I hope if there is any modicum 
of honesty and integrity in the Iraqi military, they will be treating 
our prisoners in like manner to the way their prisoners are being 
treated.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arkansas.
  Mrs. LINCOLN. Madam President, I am pleased to be here for the second 
continuing day of the Senate's tribute to the troops. I compliment my 
colleague from Texas. I thank her for being here this morning. We 
talked about how important it is for the entire Senate to come and talk 
frequently about our troops so they do know we are solidly behind them 
and making sure they know our thoughts and prayers are with them.
  I yield time now to the Senator from Nebraska, Mr. Nelson.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nebraska.
  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Madam President, I thank my colleague from 
Arkansas for yielding time to speak this morning and compliment the 
Senator from Texas for a very graphic expression of the treatment of 
the Iraqi people by our military.
  I rise today to show my support for our troops, both those serving 
abroad and those providing vital support here at home and their 
families.
  Our men and women in uniform have proven over and over that they are 
the best military force in the history of the world. Today I would like 
to pay tribute to their bravery and their continued commitment to 
America and to freedom. Americans show their gratitude through words 
and through deeds. But often it seems like that is not quite enough. 
Our soldiers on the frontlines are putting their own lives at risk in 
defense of this Nation and the freedoms we unfortunately sometimes take 
for granted. We cannot match that sacrifice, but we can do our utmost 
to let them know that the entire Nation is united behind them.
  As we fight battles in Iraq and continue our military presence in 
Afghanistan, Bosnia, South Korea, and other nations around the world, 
it is more important now than ever that we pledge ourselves to honoring 
the commitments we make to our troops, just as they honor our country 
through their service.
  And we must pledge that we will all support and comfort their 
families while they are deployed. It is very difficult to be separated 
from loved ones in the best of circumstances--I hope that all our 
military men and women know that we will help their families through 
this difficult period until they are able to come back home and rejoin 
their families.
  I would also like to express my gratitude to the service personnel 
deployed stateside, at bases like Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, NE 
and the National Guard headquarters in Lincoln and all those who serve 
all over the country serving in similar capacities. Through their work 
maintaining equipment, keeping our intelligence channels open, and 
keeping our homeland safe, they continue to ensure that our nation has 
the best run, best trained, and best staffed military in the history of 
the world.
  We must also recognize the changing face of our military. No longer 
are our Nation's armed forces primarily composed of full-time troops. 
Now, a sizable number of our service members are reservists and 
guardsmen. We do not make the distinction of the troops in the field 
who are active duty, ready Reserves or Guard members. We should not 
make a distinction in our policies that affect them. This week, this 
Chamber spoke with one voice in resolving to make sure our Reserve and 
Guard members have the equipment and support they need. We will now see 
that vote through.
  I also note that reservists are particularly likely to come from the 
ranks of the Nation's first responders. For those police officers, 
firefighters, and EMTs who serve in the Reserves, they honor our Nation 
twice--providing hometown security and then putting on another uniform 
to provide national security. We need to make sure that the burdens 
placed on them and their families do not make it more difficult for 
them to serve.
  It is my pleasure to be here today to address these issues and to 
make sure that we join together in support of our troops and we do so 
recognizing not only their sacrifice but also the sacrifice their 
families make.
  I would particularly like to recognize those Nebraskans serving in 
uniform. Right now, we have approximately 400 Nebraska Army National 
Guardsmen participating in peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and 675 
Guardsmen serving in Afghanistan as part of Operations Enduring Freedom 
and Noble Eagle.
  These men and women hail from Chadron, Gering, Scottsbluff, North 
Platte, Lincoln, Kearney, Falls City, Wahoo, Fremont and a number of 
other cities across our State. There is no part of Nebraska that is not 
represented overseas in our military.
  Nebraskans are also represented by 25 members of the 24th Medical 
Company training for deployment to Kosovo as well as 125 Nebraska Air 
National Guardsmen deployed in regions around the world. I am very 
proud of the service of my fellow cornhuskers.
  I had the opportunity this past fall to visit with a few of these 
troops serving at Aviano Air Force Base in Italy. It was a real 
pleasure to sit down with SSgt Michale Varney of Murray, SrA Aaron 
Mueller of Weeping Water, MSgt Edward Coufal of Plattsmouth, and Airman 
Elizabeth Ahrens of my hometown of McCook. I can honestly say that they 
are truly among the best Nebraskans that our State has ever produced.
  Thank you for this opportunity to show my support for our troops.
  The ACTING PRESIDING pro tempore. The Senator from Idaho.
  Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, I also stand with the Senator from Texas, 
the Senator from Arkansas, the Senator from Nebraska--really, all the 
Senators--to take this opportunity to share our feelings about the 
support we have for our troops while they are engaged in this difficult 
battle in Iraq.
  While our Nation fights the war on terrorism, taking on even more 
demanding and dangerous tasks, and is now actually headed into heated 
battle in the Arabian Peninsula, it is important that we remember just 
how important the United States military is to preserving and 
protecting our national security.
  Each of us in the Senate and those we represent throughout the 
country owe a sincere debt of gratitude to the brave men and women in 
uniform. Our soldiers, sailors, and marines serve us with unselfish 
courage and epitomize the term ``hero.''
  I will point out another brave group of men and women serving in 
harm's way. These are the thousands of our guardsmen and reservists who 
have been called to duty here in America and abroad.
  On a sad note, I would like to share with my colleagues my heartfelt 
sadness over the death of Air National Guardsman Major Gregory Stone, 
from Idaho, who was killed on March 23.
  Major Stone, serving as liaison with the Army's 101st Airborne 
Division in Kuwait, was one of the victims of the grenade attack on the 
officers' tents at Camp Pennsylvania. Major Stone leaves behind two 
sons, Evan, age 11, and Joshua, age 7, and an entire community, State, 
and Nation in grief.
  Major Stone's father said:

       My son died to allow the guy who killed him to believe in 
     what he believed.

  As we know right now, it appears it is very possible that the 
cowardly attack that killed Major Stone may have been perpetrated by 
another fellow soldier. That is being investigated at the moment.
  Major Stone, an Oregon native, was one of six Idaho Air National 
Guard members working as liaisons with the Army's 101st Airborne 
Division in Kuwait. He worked for 2 years at the Air Expeditionary 
Force Battlelab in Mountain Home, ID, as the lab's B-1 bomber expert. 
Since September, he was an independent assessor with the company that 
does contract work for the lab.
  One of his colleagues, MAJ Thomas G. Westall, U.S. Air Force, 
Retired, said:


[[Page 7700]]

       He paid the highest sacrifice for being a good soldier.

  Major Stone is just one of those brave Americans who will be called 
upon to pay the highest sacrifice for our freedom. I commend him and 
all of those in our military who are putting their lives on the line to 
protect our freedom, and I express the gratitude of a grateful country 
for their service.
  Idahoans, as all Americans have a long-standing tradition of service 
in our Nation's Armed Forces. As each of my colleagues here can attest, 
our States have called forward their best and bravest to protect our 
security and preserve our liberties. Idaho has a contingent of 
guardsmen, reservists, and mainline forces in the Persian Gulf and 
engaged in the war on terrorism.
  The Gunfighters of Mountain Home Air Force Base are among the best 
trained forces in our military because they train at the world-class 
ordnance training facility in Southwest Idaho. Mountain Home offers the 
Air Force one of the best training bases in the world. With its good 
weather and unobstructed air space, our pilots can train almost year-
round. As Air Force pilots from around the country can attest, the 
training range in Idaho keeps them on the cutting edge of combat 
effectiveness.
  The Idaho Reserve and National Guard provide another vital military 
presence in our State. These citizen soldiers provide a critical 
service to our State and to our Nation. The Idaho Army National Guard, 
with 28 units throughout the State, has 3,500 members and, during the 
past year, has provided personnel for active duty service throughout 
the world. Very recently, elements of the Idaho Army National Guard 
completed an extended rotation in the Balkans.
  The Air Guard, which has its headquarters at Gowen Field, has seen 
its share of active duty as well, most recently being called to service 
following the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The 
Air Guard's equipment includes C-130 transports, as well as the very 
capable close in support fighter, the A-10.
  Units of the Army and Navy Reserve are also very active in Idaho. The 
Army Reserve has 11 units in the State with 750 personnel assigned 
while the Navy Reserve has approximately 250 members. Many reservists, 
from a host of specialities and backgrounds, ranging from civil affairs 
to logistics, have been called to active duty during the past year.
  Each Idahoan in uniform has a demanding responsibility, and I am 
grateful for all they do. And right now, over 100,000 reservists 
nationwide have been placed on active service.
  For the foreseeable future, our Armed Forces will be dealing with 
more and more demands. We are facing uncertainty in the Persian Gulf, 
and threats worldwide continue to loom. It will be difficult and tough 
duty for these brave people, but I have complete confidence in their 
ability to meet the tasks ahead. And I also know, that Idaho, with its 
long tradition of military service, will continue to play an important 
role in the defense of our Nation.
  Many Americans have expressed their heartfelt appreciation of our 
troops. It is indeed tragic that the lives of many men and women are 
now being put in harm's way because Iraqi leaders would not conform to 
international resolution that would have brought a peaceful end to this 
conflict. Sadly, we are seeing Iraq refuse to voluntarily end its 
support of terrorism and stop the threat from the weapons of mass 
destruction Iraq possesses.
  My heart and my prayers are with our troops and their families. This 
is a time for support of all of those brave Americans being put at risk 
to defend our national security. We will win this conflict and end the 
multiple threats of weapons, terrorism, and continued instability in 
the Middle East the Iraqi dictator represents.
  Every generation of Americans has faced the need to protect our 
freedoms, and we live in a new age where innocent Americans have died 
at the hands of terrorists. Our President has made the difficult 
decision that our national security is on the line and I fully support 
his decision.
  Our President and the men and women in our Armed Forces will protect 
our freedom and continue to make out nation secure. We owe them our 
support, our prayers, and our hopes that this conflict is over as soon 
as possible.
  There is much more I could say, but I conclude my remarks by, once 
again, coming back to the importance that I place on this Senate giving 
time each day, as we are now doing, to commend the men and women in 
uniform, whether they be our active military, or our guardsmen or 
reservists, for putting their lives on the line for our freedom.
  Every generation in America has had the opportunity, in some context 
or another, to defend our freedom. And these brave men and women are 
being called upon to risk the greatest sacrifice so we in America and 
people throughout the globe can continue to have the freedoms which we 
cherish so greatly.
  I reserve the remainder of our time.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Arkansas.
  Mrs. LINCOLN. Madam President, I now yield a portion of our time to 
the Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Lautenberg.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from New Jersey.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Madam President, I thank our good friend from 
Arkansas.
  Madam President, the floor is open principally to pay our respects to 
our citizens, our friends, and our neighbors who are serving now in the 
Iraqi theater to try to right a terrible wrong that has been 
perpetrated on the world; and that is, to make sure we get rid of the 
savage regime of Saddam Hussein and the threat he brings not only to 
the people in that region but to people across the world.
  People recognize that were he to continue unfettered in his capacity 
to develop his military might, it would be quite incredible to witness. 
The fact is, we are there with so much force and so much skill and so 
much technology, and still we are facing constant obstacles to our 
mission of getting rid of the regime and reducing the threat or 
eliminating the threat that these weapons might bring to that area and 
to the world at large.
  New Jersey is the home of McGuire Air Force Base. That is a base that 
has had members leaving for conflicts over the years, and particularly 
with the first gulf war in 1990 and presently, and other conflicts that 
we have seen, because of the mobility of an air wing that we have there 
to refuel aircraft in the air, both cargo and fighter craft, as well as 
carrying cargo of substantial proportion and need to the theater so our 
troops have facilities with which to take care of their needs 
personally as well as, unfortunately, those facilities that might be 
called upon if they are wounded or injured in any way.
  At this moment, New Jersey has about 5,000 people deployed from 
various Reserve and regular Army and Marine units, as well as other 
branches of the military.
  One person, SGT James Riley, was someone we saw on television not 
very long ago being questioned by his captors, the Iraqis. We have been 
trying to contact his family to offer our services in whatever way we 
can, and to see if we can find out something about how he is being 
treated, to make sure the rules of the Geneva Convention are observed 
to the letter in the treatment of prisoners. They cannot, under any 
kind of a rule of civilization or treaties, manhandle prisoners. It is 
not permitted. You are not permitted to interview on public media. And 
you are not permitted to interrogate in public. We want the Iraqis to 
know there is a price to pay for that kind of action. We demand they 
observe all the conventions that relate to prisoners and their 
treatment.
  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today with great sadness and 
tremendous gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from 
Atwood, IN. Lcpl David Fribley was 26 years old. He died Sunday in 
Nasiriyah, Iraq as he and his fellow Marines encountered Iraqi soldiers 
believed to be surrendering. Instead, the Iraqis opened fire, killing 
David Fribley and eight other Americans, David was there, in a far away 
land, to fight for the values we all hold close to our hearts.

[[Page 7701]]

  David Fribley was the second Hoosier killed while dutifully serving 
his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, I mourn David's death 
with his family, friends and the Atwood community. While our pride in 
David shall certainly live on, so too will our sorrow. Even though 
David's life on Earth has been cut short, his bravery, and his strength 
of character shall live on as a powerful and consoling force during 
these difficult days of conflict.
  David Fribley was a quiet and caring man who led by example, not mere 
words. He was adored by all who knew him for his soft-spoken manner and 
great sense of humor. He was compelled to leave his job working with 
the elderly and join the Marine Corps after witnessing the terrorist 
attacks of September 11. Upon his resignation David stated: ``The 
greatest gift is the gift of service.'' This kind of selflessness is an 
inspiration to us all.
  David leaves behind father Garry and mother Linda, brother Steven, 
who serves in the Air Force, and a fiancee. He attended Warsaw 
Community High School where he was a star athlete in both track and 
football. After high school he attended Indiana State University and 
graduated in 2001.
  President Abraham Lincoln wrote in a letter to the mother of a fallen 
Union soldier: ``I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the 
anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of 
the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have 
laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.'' These words 
ring as true today as they did 140 ago. As we mourn the loss of David 
Fribley and honor the sacrifice he made for America and for all of 
humanity.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of David Fribley in the official 
record of the U.S. 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 like 
David's can find comfort in the word 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. President, I also rise today with great sadness and tremendous 
gratitude to honor the life of a brave young man from Hobart, IN. Greg 
Sanders was just 19 year old. On Monday, March 24, 2003, he was with 
his Army unit, the 3rd Infantry, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Division, 
1st Brigade, Company B, when he was mortally wounded by an Iraqi sniper 
bullet. Greg was in Iraq, far away from loved ones and fellow 
countrymen, to fight for the values of democracy we all hold close to 
our hearts.
  Greg Sanders is the third Hoosier to be killed while dutifully 
serving our Nation in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, I mourn along 
with Greg's family, friends, and community. While our pride in him 
shall certainly live on, so too will our sorrow. Although Greg's life 
was cut short, his courage, and his dedication to the preservation of 
democracy will live on to serve as a guiding light in these dark days 
of war.
  Greg Sanders was a natural born leader who always loved challenging 
himself in everything he did, whether it was on the bowling lane or the 
battlefield. From the time Greg was small, it was his dream to be a 
soldier. It was with great pride that he left for Iraq, prepared to do 
his duty and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, if fate dictated, 
for a country he loved dearly.
  Greg attended Hobart High School where he ran cross-country and began 
his training to become a soldier before his graduation in 2001. He 
leaves behind his mother Leslie Sanders, a brother, two sisters, his 
wife Ruthann, and their 1-year-old daughter, Gwendolyn. He will be 
greatly missed by his family, fellow soldiers, and the Hobart community 
as a whole.
  President Abraham Lincoln wrote in a letter to the mother of a fallen 
Union soldier: ``I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the 
anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of 
the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have 
laid so costly a sacrifice upon the alter of freedom.'' These words 
ring as true today as they did 140 years ago, as we mourn the loss of 
Greg Sanders and honor the sacrifice he made for America and for all of 
humanity.
  It is my sad duty to enter the name of Greg Sanders in the official 
record of the 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 like 
Greg's can find comfort in the word 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. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Major Anthony D. ``Tony'' Sinnott. A former 
Flatwoods, KY native, Major Sinnott was recently awarded the Joint 
Service Commendation Medal for being chosen as the Reserve Officer of 
the Year for 2002.
  Major Sinnott was chosen from 560 reserve officers from all the armed 
services serving the U.S. Central Command in support of Operation 
Enduring Freedom. Sinnott received the award from General Tommy Franks, 
Combatant Commander of U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida.
  The citizens of Flatwoods, KY, and the Commonwealth are proud of 
Major Sinnott's accomplishments. His example of hard work, 
determination, and patriotism are appreciated by all across the United 
States. As we continue to keep our soldiers deployed all around the 
world in our thoughts and prayers, I rise to also thank the thousands 
of men and women who wear our uniform and serve our Nation so 
courageously.
  Mr. President, I thank the Senate in joining me to congratulate Major 
Sinnott on his service to the U.S. Marine Corps and our great Nation.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today for the very sad purpose of 
honoring a fallen American.
  I learned this morning that Sgt Bradley Korthaus of Davenport, Iowa, 
has died while in service to his country as part of Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. I would like to take this opportunity to salute his patriotism 
and his sacrifice.
  Sgt Korthaus disappeared Monday during an operation in which he and 
three other Marines were swimming across a canal in southeastern Iraq, 
and his body has now been recovered.
  This is the first Iowan who has died in the current conflict in Iraq 
and the news has hit home with me and my staff.
  We all know that sacrifice is part of war, and the President has 
tried to prepare us for the inevitable losses; but it is impossible to 
fully prepare for the loss of a young life.
  My prayers go out to Steve and Marilyn Korthaus who grieve for their 
son and to all of the family, friends, and neighbors who are touched by 
his passing.
  There is nothing I can say that can take away the pain they must 
feel, but they should know that they are not alone in their grief.
  Iowans have a strong sense of community and I know that Bradley's 
loss will be felt deeply by many who never even knew him.
  Bradley Korthaus deserves the highest gratitude of this body and the 
entire Nation. His sacrifice reminds us that freedom is so precious 
because of its incredibly high cost.
  Bradley's father served in Vietnam and Bradley followed that 
tradition of service to his country.
  This is an example of the patriotic contribution made by thousands of 
American service members and their families.
  The love of country and dedication to service shared by so many of 
its citizens is the great strength of our Nation and we can all be very 
proud of patriots like Bradley Korthaus.

[[Page 7702]]


  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the 24 young 
American men who have died in the conflict in Iraq.
  I would like to pay particular tribute, however, to the six men from 
my home State of California, and to talk briefly about each of them.
  To date, the young men of California account for one-fourth of all 
the Americans that have made the ultimate sacrifice. To date, nearly 
120,000 men and women now stationed in the Middle East, many of them in 
harm's way, are either from California or were stationed there before 
being deployed.
  It is often said that California receives too much from the Federal 
Government--too much of the appropriations pie. But when you consider 
our population is 35 million and you remember that, on average, 
Californians pay more in federal taxes than they receive in Federal 
programs, this is simply not the case. And Californians are playing a 
very prominent role in liberating the Iraqi people from the tyranny of 
Saddam Hussein.
  Of the six Californians that have died so far, two were not yet 
citizens, while one was a direct descendant of the second and sixth 
Presidents of the United States.
  Together, they embody the depth and breadth of America's armed forces 
men and women from all walks of life, willing to give their lives to 
defend our freedoms.
  The first four I would like to honor--Corporals Jorge Gonzalez, 
Randal Kent Rosaker, and Jorge Garibay, and SGT Michael Bitz--were 
killed on March 23, in heavy fighting outside the town of An Nasiriya.
  Two were fathers with infant children that they never met, a third a 
son who followed his father into the military.
  Twenty year-old Cpl Jorge Gonzalez was part of the 1st Battalion of 
the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He grew up in Rialto, with his 
parents, Rosa and Mario, and five siblings. He was an avid soccer 
player, and a graduate of El Monte High School.
  His last visit home was at Christmas. There, his younger sister 
Nancy, who was never affectionate with her brother, hugged and kissed 
him before he left. ``I knew I had to do that,'' she said.
  He also left behind his wife Jazty and their 3-week-old baby boy, 
Alonso, who he never knew. He had hoped to retire from the Marines in a 
year and become a policeman.
  Before leaving he told his anxious mother,: ``Don't worry, mom. If I 
die a Marine, I'll die honored.''
  Marine Sgt Michael Bitz, a part of the 2nd Assault Amphibious 
Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, was just 31 years old. He grew up in 
Port Hueneme.
  He loved being a Marine so much, he reenlisted last fall. He loved 
his wife Janina so much that they had just renewed their vows. When he 
left for the gulf, they were expecting twins, Caleb and Taylor, who are 
now a month old. They also have a 2-year-old son, Joshua, and a 7 year-
old son, Christian, from an earlier marriage.
  In his last phone call to his mother, Donna, Sargeant Bitz was able 
to tell her that he loved her--and in his last letter he said that he 
was her warrior. In classic Marine-style, she always called her 
``ma'am.''
  Cpl Randal Kent Rosacker was also a member of the 2nd Marine 
Expeditionary Brigade. He was a rough-and-tumble athlete who loved the 
outdoors and ever since he was a boy he knew he wanted to follow his 
father, Rod, into the military.
  Cpl Rosacker grew up in San Diego, the son of a Navy man. He played 
football, baseball and wrestled for the Serra High School 
Conquistadors. His wrestling coach, Steve Stone, recalled when Randal 
broke his hand senior year, just before an important game.
  ``Well, we heard some thudding on the wall in the lockeroom,'' he 
said. ``We walk in, and Randy had broken off his cast. He said: 'Coach, 
tape it up. I'm ready to go.'''
  His former baseball coach, Chris Herrin, said that Rosacker's 
teammates could always count on him. ``He was the kind of guy who you 
would want fighting for your country,'' Herrin said.
  His grandmother, Patricia, said her grandson died doing something he 
loved--serving America. ``He believed in what he was doing,'' she said. 
He was just 21 years old.
  Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Cpl Jorge Garibay played football at Newport 
Harbor High School, in Costa Mesa. He, too, was just 21 years old.
  One of his teachers, Janis Toman, described him as a hard worker who 
frequently returned to the high school campus in full uniform, to 
encourage students to do their best.
  Ms. Toman received a letter from Cpl Garibay just a few hours before 
learning of his death, as she packed him a care package. ``He wrote of 
simple things that we take for granted but make soldiers happy,'' she 
said. ``Things like moving from a small tent to a bigger one.''
  ``I want to defend the country I plan to become a citizen of,'' he 
wrote to her. He also left a tape recording before his deployment for 
his beloved Uncle Urbano, whom he regarded as a surrogate father.
  In the tape he said: ``I'm being called to represent and serve my 
country. I don't know if I'll return, and I want you to know that I 
love you and how much I appreciate the support and love you have given 
me over the years.''
  LCpl Jose Gutierrez was the first American killed in combat. He was 
struck by enemy fire while fighting alongside fellow Marines near the 
southern Iraqi port city of Umm al Qasr. He was 22 years old.
  LCpl Gutierrez arrived in the United States when he was a 16 year old 
orphan, having left poverty-stricken circumstances in Guatemala City 
and a country racked by a brutal civil war.
  He traveled over 2,000 miles by foot, north through Mexico, in search 
of a better life here in the United States.
  Like so many immigrants, his past was soon eclipsed by his new life 
as an American. He was taken in by the Mosquera family, of Lomita, CA. 
Nora and Max Mosquera had begun helping immigrant foster children when 
their own children had grown.
  ``He joined the Marines to pay back a little of what he'd gotten from 
the U.S.,'' Max Mosquera said. ``For him it was a question of honor.''
  A tall and quiet young man who enjoyed soccer and chess, Jose learned 
English quickly and had plans to study architecture.
  ``He was such a good kid,'' remembered Robert Nobles, a physical 
education teacher at North High in Torrance, where Corporal Gutierrez 
graduated in 2000.
  I have been told that news of his death has resonated throughout 
Guatemala. Every major newspaper, radio and TV station carried his 
story. He has been portrayed as a brave and selfless young man--which 
he most certainly was.
  Navy LT Thomas Mullen Adams grew up in comfort, in the suburb of La 
Mesa, as a member of a family that traces its roots directly to John 
Adams, one of America's most important Founding Fathers.
  He graduated from Grossmont High School in 1993 and the United States 
Naval Academy in 1997.
  He received flight training in Pensacola, FL, and inherited his love 
of flying from his father, John, an architect who helped design the 
aerospace museum in San Diego.
  Promoted to lieutenant in the year 2000, Adams won two National 
Defense Service Medals, three sea service deployment ribbons, and other 
awards.
  ``He's one of these amazingly clean-cut, all-American kids,'' his 
aunt, Elizabeth Hansen, told the San Diego Union Tribune Newspaper. 
``He's the kind of kid that if you had a very special daughter, you 
would hope that she would snag him. He was just amazingly bright, 
funny, and kind.''
  In October 2002, Lieutenant Adams was assigned as an exchange officer 
with the British Royal Navy's 849th Squadron, now on the aircraft 
carrier Ark Royal.
  An avid soccer fan who had volunteered to go to Japan with the 
carrier Kitty Hawk in time for the World Cup finals last summer, he 
joined a local team near his base in Helston, England.

[[Page 7703]]

  Lieutenant Adams's family said he particularly enjoyed his time with 
the Royal Navy for two reasons: Every ship had a pub onboard, and he 
was allowed a weekly 20-minute phone call home. He died with the Royal 
Navy when the helicopter he was flying collided with another helicopter 
over the Persian Gulf. He was just 27 years old.
  Mr. President, we all wish for a quick resolution of this war to 
limit casualties, military and civilian, American, allied, and Iraqi. 
We wish that American and coalition forces will be able to liberate the 
people of Iraq soon, and that our men and women will be able to return 
home to their families. Until then, however, they remain in our 
thoughts and our prayers, along with those who have already fallen.
  All Americans owe an enormous, an almost incalculable debt to these 
young men who were willing to sacrifice their own futures for the 
future of this country they so dearly loved so that we, as a people, 
might be safe and free. Their sacrifices must never be forgotten.
  I thank the Chair.

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