[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3064]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING FIRST LIEUTENANT GARRISON AVERY

  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of 
order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Nebraska?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, First Lieutenant Garrison Avery died 
Wednesday, February 1, from injuries he sustained while serving in 
Iraq. The personnel carrier in which he was traveling hit a roadside 
bomb, killing him and two fellow soldiers. He was 23 years old. He 
leaves behind his wife Kayla, his bride of just 8 months.
  Garrison was the son of Gary and Susan Avery of Lincoln, Nebraska. He 
graduated from Lincoln High School in 2000 and from the U.S. Military 
Academy in West Point, New York, in 2004. He then signed up for Army 
Ranger training, and with his strong intellect and fierce dedication, 
Garrison Avery became a decorated member of the United States Army. He 
served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, 
Kentucky.
  In his service and in his life, Garrison exemplified the solemn 
virtues of the great American soldier: The drive and purpose that 
compelled him at 17 years old to earn his parents' permission to join 
the Army; the seriousness and excellence that propelled his decorated 
graduation from West Point; the humility and dignity that kept him from 
speaking of his numerous special honors awarded for excellent service; 
the compassion and justice that drove him beyond the call of duty to 
help Iraqi children, orphaned by the war; the strength, honor and 
courage he displayed as an officer, leading his troops in the midst of 
battle; and the faith, love and respect he gave to God, to his family 
and to his country.
  We are also indebted to Garrison's beautiful family. Their love, 
their nurturing, and their support formed him, guided him and steadied 
him. His memory will live on through his family and friends, but also 
in the hearts of the community he bravely protected.
  First Lieutenant Garrison Avery died an American soldier, and America 
will be eternally grateful for his sacrifice.

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