[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 21]
[House]
[Page 29360]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING PRIVATE JON ABELS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a soldier and 
a hero from Pflugerville, Texas, and to pay homage to the sacrifices 
our fighting men and women make every day for America and for the 
world.
  Last week, I had the honor of visiting Walter Reed Hospital where 
Private Jon Abels of the Army's 101st Airborne Division is receiving 
top notch medical care for the wounds he received in battle.
  On November 29, Private Abels, who is a radio operator, was stationed 
in Iraq and on patrol in Baghdad when his platoon came under fire from 
insurgents. Private Abels and his fellow soldiers managed to find cover 
and safety in an abandoned residence that was frequently used by the 
insurgents. Outnumbered 20 to 6 and trapped in a house, they tried to 
fight off the insurgents who were surrounding their position. 
Undoubtedly, many of the soldiers inside, if not all, would have been 
killed until Private Abels sprang into action.
  Private Abels radioed for help and then found and hotwired the 
insurgents' truck in the house's garage. He then loaded his men in the 
truck, and they drove from the enemy's trap. As they left, they took on 
heavy gunfire that injured Private Abels and two others and, 
ultimately, killed three more as their truck crashed.
  Injured and still in the range of the insurgents' fire, Private Abels 
helped the other survivors to safety and administered medical attention 
to his wounded platoon leader. His actions brought him and the other 
survivors just enough time for support fire to arrive, and ultimately, 
he saved three lives.
  Last week, Private Abels proudly received his Purple Heart at Walter 
Reed Hospital and is making a quick and fast recovery.
  Clearly a hero, Private Abels' actions exemplify the efforts of all 
of our fighting men and women in the war on terror. I was inspired by 
his optimistic attitude, even as a severely injured soldier at Walter 
Reed Hospital. He believes that we are getting the job done and making 
great progress in Iraq.
  So as we stand together here this evening in peace, America's 
soldiers are united in protecting our country as they remain in distant 
lands fighting the threat and the horror of terrorism. We are there to 
root out the terrorists who wish to do us harm, who wish to harm 
Americans.
  These terrorists, like the insurgents that Private Abels fought in 
Baghdad, have a track record of being patient until they succeed in 
their evil agenda, so we must continue to support our soldiers now more 
than ever and give our military men and women every tool necessary to 
protect us and to complete and to win this war on terror.
  Some say that we should retreat in this war on terror, but to them I 
say that our fighting men and women have succeeded on all fronts. In 
places like Iraq and Afghanistan where oppression, tyranny and inhumane 
treatment once flourished, we now find nations waking up to the reality 
of self-ruled government and the benefits that come with their 
democracies. This success is most embodied by the free and democratic 
elections in Iraq that took place this very week.
  To quit now would not only be an insult to those waging this 
liberating battle but a dishonor to those who made the ultimate 
sacrifice, their lives, for freedom and for the greater good. Few 
causes are as worthy, and few prices are as great. America prides its 
freedom on how our determination can accomplish any task and defeat any 
foe. So finish the job we will. And because of heroes like Private 
Abels, I have no doubt in my mind that we will prevail.

                          ____________________