[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23479]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING A FALLEN HERO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SHERWOOD BOEHLERT

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Speaker, colleagues, and friends, my congressional 
district experienced a great deal of pain and sadness as the City of 
Rome lost one of its finest residents--a young soldier, Sgt. Michael 
Uvanni. He paid the ultimate price to ensure our liberty. He gave his 
life so that the people of Iraq could live without repression and 
fear--and he gave his life so that Americans could feel safe to live 
their lives under a blanket of freedom. That freedom comes with a high 
price and we are eternally grateful for his dedication and commitment 
to the ideals that we hold dear.
  Sgt. Uvanni died October 1 in Samarra, Iraq, as he was conducting 
combat operations and was shot by a sniper. Uvanni was assigned to the 
Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, 
Morrisonville, NY.
  Sgt. Uvanni meant so much to the close-knit community of Rome, NY. He 
was a fine son and soldier, as well as a standout football player at 
Rome Free Academy. Sgt. Uvanni earned special honors in 1995 as a 
senior, being named as a conference second team all-star defensive end.
  An outgoing and patriotic young man, Sgt. Uvanni personified the 
qualities and dedication that make our United States military the 
greatest armed forces in the world. Sgt. Uvanni completed a tour with 
the U.S. Marines, and joined the local National Guard earlier this 
year. Army Guard CSM Frank Wicks said, ``While I am sure he will always 
be a Marine at heart . . . In January he joined the local National 
Guard and was deployed with the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, New York 
Army National Guard. I am sure he was an outstanding Marine, I can 
attest to the fact that he was an outstanding member of the 2-108th and 
will be missed.'' As Sgt. Uvanni is laid to his final rest, we salute 
him, and all those killed in the line of duty, for their selfless 
service and ultimate sacrifice.
  I ask my colleagues in the House, and all Americans, to extend our 
prayers and sympathy to his parents Kevin and Janet Uvanni, as well as 
the rest of his family and friends, and the entire Rome community.
  Together we honor this fallen American hero.

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