[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17891]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT FIRST CLASS RICHARD J. HENKES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2006

  Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, I ask for your 
attention so we can honor a fallen hero. Sergeant First Class Richard 
J. Henkes was a proud American, a fellow Oregonian--he was a warrior 
who stood on the edge of the world so that each of us could enjoy the 
blessings of liberty.
  I ask for this moment because just last week, Richard gave his last 
full measure of devotion while on patrol in Mosul, Iraq.
  Though the war continues on, we must remember the individual 
sacrifice of the men and women fulfilling their charge. We cannot allow 
ourselves to forget the faces or the families of the brave soldiers, 
sailors, airmen, and marines that serve on the brink of chaos so that 
others might live free.
  Sergeant Henkes was courageous; he selflessly went where others 
feared to tread. I believe that Oregon, that America, that our world is 
less, far less, for his passing. We can ill afford to lose patriots of 
his character and passion.
  Yesterday we gathered with friends and loved ones to mark the passing 
of another September 11th. It has been five years since the terror 
attacks of 2001. Since that day we have been a nation at war; since 
that moment we have fought that war by sending our best and brightest 
across the globe to defend our ideals, to protect our communities. And 
since that time we have been in debt to citizens like Richard Henkes.
  Richard wanted a life in uniform so that he could make a difference; 
he viewed service to his country as a calling and wanted to keep his 
nation, state, and community safe from harm. Sergeant Henkes understood 
what many forget: freedom demands sacrifice. We are indebted to his 
willingness to take upon himself the burden of service; we are forever 
connected to Richard because of his devotion to our lives.
  Sergeant Henkes remained in the Army because he wanted something 
better for his daughter Isabel. Like most of us, Richard hoped that his 
child could inherit a healthier place, a safer community. Sadly, 
Sergeant Henkes will not be able to secure that future for Isabel, but 
we can. She is now a part of our family; Isabel is now our shared 
responsibility.
  We in this chamber have an obligation, a duty, to ensure that Isabel 
inherits a land worthy of her father's sacrifice. We here today, must 
bear personal responsibility for doing our part--for Richard has 
already done his.
  Although I never had the opportunity to meet Richard, I know him 
through his actions, his hopes, and his values. When his nation called, 
Richard answered. When his daughter needed, Richard delivered. And when 
duty demanded the ultimate sacrifice, Richard fulfilled his charge 
without hesitation, reservation, or doubt.
  Today let us come together and express our profound sorrow at the 
loss of our Richard Henkes. Let us join in one voice and tell the 
Henkes family that we thank them for the life and service of their 
Richard. Let us prove to them by our actions in the future, that his 
sacrifice was not in vain. And let us endeavor to keep Richard and all 
those he served with in our thoughts and prayers as we decide the 
course of our nation.

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