[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 24028]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE MEMORY OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, NATIVE MARINE CAPTAIN TYLER 
                                SWISHER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Schmidt) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a 
brave soldier who died in Iraq nobly defending our freedom and in the 
service of our country. Marine Captain Tyler Swisher was killed in a 
roadside bomb attack near Al Amariyah in Iraq on Friday, October 21, 
2005.
  Tyler is remembered as someone who overcame so many obstacles in his 
life. He was a small child, and as a child he struggled with a learning 
disability, but he would take on his school work with a gritty style of 
persistence, and he succeeded. He devoted himself to his work. Tyler's 
tough and determined style was something that he exhibited throughout 
his life.
  In high school his small frame just hovering over 100 pounds did not 
keep him from doing what he loved, playing football, and while he spent 
much of his time at Mariemont High School on the sideline, he was still 
in the game.
  He joined the Marines because he loved his country. He soon loved the 
Marines and chose to make it his career. He loved his country so much, 
he chose to serve not one, but three tours of duty in Iraq, just as in 
his youth he would not quit. He was so proud to be a Marine, but more 
proud to be an American. He really loved his country.
  My community continues to be blessed with people like Tyler who 
unselfishly give their time and, in some cases, their life so that we 
may continue to enjoy the freedoms we hold so dear.
  He loved his family. Tyler is survived by his wife Stephanie; his 
daughters Ashleigh and Madison; and a son Jacob; and his parents, who 
live in Pierce Township. All of us mourn Tyler's loss, and we are 
grateful, eternally grateful, for his braveness and his valor and his 
valiant service to our country.
  I ask my colleagues to join me tonight and each and every night to 
pray for his family in their time of need. May Tyler rest in peace.

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