[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 429]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE 376TH ENGINEER BATTALION OF HAMMOND, INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and respect that I 
take this opportunity to welcome home members of the 376th Engineer 
Battalion of Hammond, Indiana, and to honor them for their patriotism, 
their dedication, and their willingness to defend their country. These 
brave soldiers, known as the Men of Steel, recently returned to 
Northwest Indiana after completing several missions in Mosul, Iraq in 
support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 376th honorably provided 
security during the recent Iraqi elections, took part in reconstruction 
efforts within Iraqi cities, provided humanitarian support to the 
people of Iraq, and courageously disposed of improvised explosive 
devices. The members of the 376th Engineer Battalion will be recognized 
at a homecoming ball in their honor, which will take place on January 
21, 2006, at the Dynasty Banquet Hall in Hammond, Indiana.
  The people of this entire nation, as well as the citizens of Iraq, 
can be proud of the sacrifice and courage of these fine individuals: 
CPT Sean Begley, PV2 Alexander Baker, SPC Christopher Bennett, PV1 Adam 
Branson, SPC David Croyle, PV1 Joseph Gibbs, SPC Jaime Hoch, SPC Muain 
Issa, SPC Tobey Johnson, SGT Nicholas Kowalczyk, SPC Ashley Sharp, SPC 
Terry Specyal, SGT Jose Tovalin, SPC Aaron Vance, SPC Michael Vician, 
SGT Travis Wheatley, SFC William Johnson, SPC Luke Abbott, SPC Daniel 
Wiley, SPC Joseph Veyette, SPC Enrique Uribe, SSG Mark Tegtman, SPC 
William Sideris, SPC Aaron Santonelli, SPC Carlos Reyes, SPC Brian 
Panzik, SGT Donald Mull, PFC William Mills, SPC Angel Lozano, SPC 
Timothy Bishop, PFC Christopher Boger, SPC Steven Bramer, PV2 David 
Kuzmar, SPC Jason Loebbaka, SPC Thomas Martinez, PFC Brandon McCormick, 
SGT David Moake, SSG Stephen Otten, SGT Gershom Parr, SFC Melvin 
Pennington, SPC Daniel Rubalcava, SPC Vincent Lenart, SPC Allen Hughes, 
SGT Robert Jaso, SPC Matthew Gabrano, SGT Ryan Bood, SPC Jonathan 
Bright, SPC Corrie Covelli, SPC Ryan Eder, SGT Michael Guz, SGT Brian 
Brandenburg, SPC Joshua Buikema, SPC Jonathan Cuevas, SSG Thomas 
Kopanda, SPC Paul Gordon, SSG Matthew Hamater, PFC Michael Brunsman, 
and SPC Michael Coughlin.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in honoring the members of the 376th Engineer 
Battalion, the Men of Steel, for their dedication and courage in 
support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They will forever remain heroes 
in the eyes of their families, their communities, and their country. 
Let us welcome them home and thank them for their commitment to 
preserve the ideals of freedom and democracy.

                          ____________________