[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15050-15051]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  ADAM G. KINSER POST OFFICE BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DOUG OSE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 9, 2004

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, a national hero, a loving son and brother, a 
dedicated student, athlete, and a proud father to-be. These are just a 
few of the phrases that can be used to describe Adam Kinser of Rio 
Vista, CA. Although no list of descriptions can ever fully do justice 
to understanding the bravery and compassion of a young man who gave his 
life for his country at the age of 21.
  Adam Gareth Kinser was born in 1983 in Valencia, CA and grew up in 
Rio Vista with his parents and four younger siblings from the time he 
was five. There was nothing typical about Adam, who from a young age 
was a standout, not only among his peers and teammates, but to his 
teachers and family as well. Adam was a hard-working student, even 
serving as a teaching assistant in some classes.
  Bill Fulk, a former teacher of Adam's, praised the young man as the 
``best the United States had to offer'' He was a role model to other 
students, demonstrating a positive attitude, kind heart and willingness 
to

[[Page 15051]]

help. He was an outstanding varsity athlete, running track, playing 
basketball, and was the starting quarterback for 3 years. His strong 
leadership and commitment didn't end at school or on the field though, 
he was also a mentor and protector to his younger siblings, one of whom 
recalls that Adam ``was always protecting me even when I didn't want 
it.''
  Perhaps it was not a surprise that Adam also wanted to serve and 
protect his country, when he joined the Army Reserve during his senior 
year of high school. Adam was in boot camp at Fort Bragg, NC, when the 
terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and 
was sent to Afghanistan in July 2003.
  Adam returned home during Christmas, where his wife, Tiffany, 
surprised him with an ultrasound of their soon-to-be-born son. He was 
ecstatic and could not wait to be a father, counting down the days 
until he would be reunited with his wife and new baby. This did not 
stop Adam from taking pride in the job he was doing for his country and 
in the bonds that he treasured with his fellow soldiers.
  Adam returned to Afghanistan after Christmas, serving in the Army 
Reserve's 304th Psychological Operations Company. However, on January 
29, 2004, Adam and eight other soldiers were working near a weapons 
cache near Ghanzi, 60 miles southwest of Kabul, when an explosion took 
place that claimed his life and those of his fellow soldiers.
  Adam's death has sent Rio Vista into a period of mourning and loss 
for the young man that many of them knew and loved so well, and had 
watched mature into a brave leader. The community of Rio Vista 
remembers him fondly, and will surely miss him, not least of all his 
family and newborn son.
  Adam was the first Rio Vistan to give his life in wartime since the 
Korean War. As Rio Vista Mayor Marcie Coglianese said, ``he is the 
embodiment of all our values.'' In order to ensure that the memory and 
name of this young man, father, and soldier, lives on, the least we can 
do is to re-name the post office in his home town, as an honor for the 
town, family and country that produced such a great man.

                          ____________________