[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25463]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING LANCE CPL JOSEPH WELKE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 24, 2004

  Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to honor 
the life of Lance Cpl. Joseph Welke who died November 20, 2004 from 
wounds suffered while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom during the 
battle for Fallujah.
  Joseph, who was a Greater Dakota All-Conference football player, 
graduated from Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota in 2003. 
He enlisted in the Marines soon after graduation, and was assigned to 
the Marine Corps base camp in Pendleton, California. He was a member of 
the 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and was 
deployed to Iraq this past June.
  Joseph dreamed of playing college football, but put those plans on 
hold to join the Marines and serve his country. He is described as an 
individual who was self-motivated and liked by everyone who knew him. 
Joseph's family believes his smile said it all. His mother explained 
that her son seldom got punished, even when he did something wrong, 
just because of his smile. He was committed to and gave one hundred 
percent to everything he did--including football, the Marines, and his 
family.
  Every member of the House of Representatives has taken a solemn oath 
to defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. 
While we certainly understand the gravity of the issues facing this 
legislative body, Lance Cpl. Joseph Welke lived that commitment to our 
country. Today, we remember and honor his noble service to the United 
States and the ultimate sacrifice he has paid with his life to defend 
our freedoms and foster liberty for others.
  The lives of countless people were enormously enhanced by Joseph's 
compassion and service. Joseph, who represented the best of the United 
States, South Dakota, and the Marines continues to inspire all those 
who knew him and many who did not. Our Nation and the State of South 
Dakota are far better places because of his service, and the best way 
to honor him is to emulate his devotion to our country.
  I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my sympathies to the 
family of Lance Cpl. Joseph Welke. His commitment to and sacrifice for 
our Nation will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________