[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17788]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING ARMY SPC. JOSEPH C. THIBODEAUX, III OF LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER JOHN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 7, 2004

  Mr. JOHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a fine 
American, a devoted son, brother and friend who gave his life serving 
our nation in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Spc. Joseph C. ``Joe'' Thibodeaux, III served with the U.S. Army's 
25th Infantry Unit stationed in Hawaii. On the 1st of September, while 
in a convoy on a mission in Iraq near Hawija, Joe was killed by enemy 
sniper fire.
  Joe is survived by his parents Rebecca and Joseph, Sr. as well as a 
half-sister, Jennifer Karen Savoy; brothers Greg Thibodeaux, Army Maj. 
Maxwell Thibodeaux and Jerome Thibodeaux; and a younger sister, 
Brittany Thibodeaux.
  He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Thelma Istre of 
Egan, LA and his uncles Daniel Istre, Johnny Istre, O'Neil Istre, James 
Istre and John R. Thibodeaux, all of Lafayette, as well as many proud 
nieces and nephews.
  An Army sharpshooter, Joe had just re-enlisted in the service and 
planned to teach at the Army sharpshooter school when he returned from 
Iraq. Family and friends describe him as a ``kind-hearted soul'' who 
loved what he did and took great pride in serving his country.
  On September 1, Joe undoubtedly approached what would be his last 
assignment with that same pride and determination. He bravely gave his 
life to help make this world a better place for his fellow soldiers and 
indeed for us all.
  His brother Jerome remarked that Joe ``lived as if he were 
invincible, and now he'll be forever invincible.'' Joe's selfless 
bravery and commitment to country are an example to each of us.
  Mr. Speaker, please join Joe's friends, family and me as we honor his 
memory and thank him for his heroic service to our country.

                          ____________________