[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9937]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 216TH ENGINEER BATTALION OF THE OHIO NATIONAL GUARD

  (Mr. NEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 216th Engineer 
Battalion of the Ohio National Guard stationed in Chillicothe, Ohio, 
for their exceptional service during the war on terror.
  The 216th completed more than 350 successful missions. They played a 
critical role in the construction of protective barriers to protect 
soldiers from enemy fire. And in preparation for Iraq's national 
election on January 30, the 216th placed concrete barriers at hundreds 
of voting sites to allow Iraqis to vote in a safe and secure 
environment. However, their service was not without tragedy. Twenty 
soldiers of the 216th were awarded Purple Hearts for wounds they 
received in combat, and three soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice.
  In recognition of their exceptionally meritorious conduct, the 216th 
will be awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation during their Freedom 
Salute Campaign celebration next month.
  It is with great honor that I have the privilege of recognizing them 
today. The willingness to risk one's life in defense of the ideals our 
country was built upon and is the truest test of one's strength and 
character.
  These men and women have excelled as patriots, and we are forever in 
their debt.

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