[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25408]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF A1C JESSE SAMEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN BOOZMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 19, 2004

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of America's 
bravest, Airman 1st Class Jesse Samek. Jesse, a 2001 Rogers High School 
graduate recently died in Afghanistan while honorably serving his 
country.
  A flight engineer assigned out of Nellis Air Force Base, Jesse was 
killed on October 21 st, when his helicopter crashed during a rescue 
mission. The mission that day was to carry a wounded Afghan election 
worker to a medical facility. Jesse was a true hero who was literally 
protecting democracy.
  I attended Jesse's funeral and the outpouring of love and respect 
from his community was overwhelming. Over 300 people were there to 
honor him.
  Jesse joined the Air Force in February of 2003 and was assigned to 
the 66th Rescue Squadron, an elite group that qualified for rescue duty 
on a HH-60 Para Rescue helicopter. His mother said Jesse loved that his 
job was to rescue and save people.
  Mr. Speaker, Airman 1st Class Jesse Monroe Samek, at the age of 21, 
made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He is a true American 
hero. I ask my colleagues to keep Jesse's family and friends in their 
thoughts and prayers during these difficult times.

                          ____________________