[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11352]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. JOHN KLINE

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, on this Memorial Day we honor the sacrifices 
of a new generation of heroes who gave their lives unselfishly for the 
safety and security of our Nation and our world.
  Private Jim Hergott is one of these brave young Americans who made 
the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of democracy, freedom, and liberty.
  Last July, Private Jim Hergott became the first Minnesotan killed in 
action in Iraq. A graduate of Shakopee High School, Private Hergott was 
struck by a sniper while guarding the National Building Museum in 
Baghdad.
  Private Hergott has set an example of service to which few will be 
called and for which all are grateful. Jim Hergott will be missed, but 
his contributions endure.
  We enjoy the blessings of living in America as a result of men and 
women throughout our Nation's history who toiled, sacrificed, and 
struggled to ensure we would have an unparalleled quality of life.
  These blessings remain with us today as a result of the men and women 
who continue to toil, struggle, and sacrifice on our behalf.
  We owe a debt of gratitude to Private Hergott and all of the fallen 
heroes of this generation and those who came before. I ask you to join 
me in honoring Private Hergott and remembering his fellow heroes to 
whom we owe so much.

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