[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11357]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING LANCE CORPORAL JAMES A. CASPER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 1, 2004

  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, throughout our history, when our country 
called, millions of American men and women have made the ultimate 
sacrifice so that our Nation could enjoy peace and prosperity. From 
Bunker Hill to Baghdad, many of America's best and brightest have paid 
the price of our freedom with their lives, leaving behind their 
friends, their families and their futures.
  Recently, the Fifth Congressional District of Texas lost one of our 
best. Lance Corporal James A. Casper of Coolidge, Texas, was a twenty-
year-old Marine assigned to 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Division, 
who lost his life near Al Asad, Iraq, while serving his country in 
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Lance Corporal Casper served this country well, as did the other 
brave men and women who have lost their lives in Iraq, helping to fight 
our enemies far away in order to prevent them from attacking us again 
here at home. Undoubtedly, it is through their sacrifice that future 
generations of Americans and others will enjoy freedom from terror.
  As our families and friends gather together this Memorial Day to 
enjoy barbeques and baseball games, let us not forget the solemn 
purpose for this national day of remembrance.
  Freedom is not free--it comes at an incredible cost. Today, let us 
show our deep appreciation for those who fought for our freedom and let 
us honor those, like Lance Corporal Casper, who died defending it. Let 
us commend their courage, their patriotism, their service and their 
sacrifice.
  In the words of President Ronald Reagan, ``We will always remember. 
We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always 
be free.''

                          ____________________