[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 706-707]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING OUR TROOPS


                      DEATH OF SGT CORY R. MRACEK

  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise to express my sympathy over the loss 
of Cory R. Mracek, a fellow Nebraskan and sergeant in the United States 
Army. Sergeant Mracek was killed on January 27 when his patrol was 
attacked near Iskandariyah, Iraq. He was 26 years old. Sergeant Mracek 
served in the 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 
82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, NC.

[[Page 707]]

  A resident of Hay Springs, NE, Sergeant Mracek was a dedicated 
soldier who was committed to his family and country. Sergeant Mracek 
enlisted in the Army after graduating from Hay Springs High School in 
1995. His mother, Pat, said her son was a good soldier who ``was very 
proud of his country,'' and loved serving in the Armed Forces.
  In addition to his mother, Sergeant Mracek is survived by his father, 
James, and sisters, Stacy and Heather. Our thoughts and prayers are 
with each of them at this difficult time.
  Sergeant Mracek and thousands of brave American service men and women 
confront danger every day in Iraq and their tremendous sacrifices must 
never be taken for granted or forgotten. For his service, bravery, and 
sacrifice, I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring 
Sgt. Cory Mracek.

                          ____________________