[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11572]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the heroes who 
have so far given their lives in Iraq. Every generation of Americans 
has been asked to leave their farms and towns and cities so that 
freedom could be spread through the world. As a citizen of this great 
nation I am here to honor the sacrifice of the fallen in Iraq, and 
those who before them paid the ultimate price for freedom.
  Like their forefathers in World War II, the 23 Floridians who gave 
their lives in the name of freedom were selfless citizens who answered 
the call of duty. Among these I would like to personally honor the 4 
soldiers from South Florida. I and all of the citizens in my district 
are thankful for their service.
  This nation can never repay the debt owed to these 4 men; their honor 
and service however, will never be forgotten. Private First Class 
Charles M. Sims was only 18 when he died in Baghdad on October 3, 2003, 
Sergeant Edmond L. Randle was 26 when he perished in the north of Taji 
on January 17, 2004, 1st Lieutenant Christopher J. Kenny was 32 when he 
fell in Balad on May 3, 2004, and Private First Class Jeremy Ricardo 
Ewing, who at 22 gave his life in Baghdad on April 29, 2004.
  These men remind us that freedom is indeed not free. We must forever 
be vigilant to the rise of tyranny and be willing to fight it wherever 
it rises. We must never take for granted our democratic government, we 
must remember that in places like Cuba, North Korea, and Iran, human 
beings are still oppressed by their horrible dictators. Let us fight 
these regimes, until freedom rings in every nation of the world.
  God bless all the men and women who gave their lives so that others 
may live in freedom.

                          ____________________