[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7565-7566]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                         corporal michael speer

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to CPL 
Michael R. Speer of Davenport, IA, who courageously gave his life for 
his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is the 12th Iowan to be 
killed in Iraq. My deepest sympathy goes out to his wife and his entire 
family as they deal with their loss. Corporal Speer was killed when his 
unit came under enemy fire in the Al Anbar province of Iraq on Friday, 
April 9, 2004.
  Corporal Speer was a rifleman assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd 
Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based in 
Camp Lejeune, NC. He performed his duty to his country admirably and I 
know his loss will be deeply felt by all those who knew him.
  Michael Speer enlisted in the Marines in Davenport, IA, on January 
16, 2001. He died a true patriot and it is fitting that we recognize 
his sacrifice here today.


                       staff sergeant cory brooks

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Staff 
Sergeant Cory W. Brooks, a member of the South Dakota National Guard, 
who died on April 24, 2004, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Staff Sergeant Brooks was a member of the 153rd Engineer Batallion, 
which is based in Winner, SD. He died in a noncombat incident on 
Saturday.
  Answering America's call to the military, Staff Sergeant Brooks 
joined the National Guard in May of 1989 and

[[Page 7566]]

served as a combat engineer throughout his 15 years of service.
  Born and raised in Phillip, SD, he was remembered as a dedicated 
athlete and student. Staff Sergeant Brooks' former football coach in 
high school, Jerry Rhodes said, ``He was just like family. He was one 
of those kids you love to work with. He always did good work. He was a 
very happy-go-lucky kid.'' Jerry Rhodes son, Wade, picked his good 
friend to be the best man at his wedding in 1995. Wade said of Brooks 
growing up, ``I spent more time at their house then I did my own. He 
was just like a brother to me.''
  Staff Sergeant Brooks was a very dedicated student and well educated. 
After excelling at Phillip High School and the University of South 
Dakota for his undergraduate studies, he went on to obtain his Juris 
Doctorate from the University of South Dakota.
  Staff Sergeant Brooks is the second member of the South Dakota 
National Guard to be killed in combat since the war in Iraq began. 
Company A, which includes members from Wagner and Winner, was assigned 
to the 1st Marine Expedition Headquarters. Their company is responsible 
for defusing roadside explosives.
  Staff Sergeant Brooks served our country and was a model of loyalty 
and dedication in the preservation of freedom. The thoughts and prayers 
of my family, as well as our country's, are with his family during this 
time of mourning. Our thoughts continue to be with all those families 
who have children, spouses, and other loved ones serving overseas.
  Staff Sergeant Brooks led a full life, committed to his family, his 
Nation, and his community. It was his incredible dedication to helping 
others that will serve as his greatest legacy. Our Nation is a far 
better place because of Staff Sergeant Brooks' contributions, and, 
while his family, friends, and Nation will miss him very much, the best 
way to honor his life is to remember his commitment to service and his 
family.
  I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my sympathies to the 
friends and family of Staff Sergeant Brooks. I know that he will always 
be missed, but his service to our Nation will never be forgotten.

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