[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5692]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING SPC. GERRIT KOBES FOR EARNING A SILVER STAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CATHY McMORRIS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2005

  Miss McMORRIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Specialist 
Gerrit Kobes for being awarded a Silver Star for his bravery and 
heroism while serving in Iraq. Kobes, a member of Washington's Army 
National Guard, saved the lives of Iraqi National Guard soldiers who 
were attacked by enemy fire. Kobes was presented with the medal in 
February by Major General Peter Chiarelli, commander of the 1st Cavalry 
Division.
  Kobes, 23 years old, was a medical specialist assigned to a unit that 
provided security support for the 1st Cavalry Division special unit. 
His convoy was assigned to move Iraqi soldiers and equipment from 
Baghdad to Fallujah. On November 3rd, a rocket-propelled grenade hit 
one of the trucks carrying Iraqi National Guard Members. According to 
Army accounts, Kobes ran 500 meters through enemy fire to get to four 
wounded Iraqi soldiers. He treated the soldiers and was again exposed 
to insurgent fire as he loaded the soldiers onto vehicles.
  Kobes is from Kettle Falls, Washington. He is married to wife, Erica, 
and has two sons, Tyson, 3, and P.J., 10 months.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Specialist Gerrit Kobes for 
fearlessly sacrificing his own safety in order to save the lives of 
wounded Iraqi soldiers. I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking 
Specialist Kobes for his service to our country and Iraq, and 
congratulate him on earning a Silver Star.

                          ____________________