[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15552]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO CORPORAL MARK KIDD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 12, 2007

  Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, I am here today with my colleague Mike 
Rogers to extend our sincerest gratitude to Corporal Mark Kidd--a son, 
grandson, brother, Marine and American--for his service to our nation, 
and to extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. As a 
friend of the family it is very difficult for us to try to serve the 
dual roles that, in many ways, you helped give us on this sorrowful 
day.
  Mark, as we all know, grew up cradled in the arms of his loved ones 
and strengthened here in the cradle of liberty. When he was called to 
serve he served in the defense of his nation, not by oppressing his 
fellow human beings in foreign lands, but by bringing emancipation to 
them so that they, too, could yearn to breathe free. It is in such a 
way of service to our fellow human beings that we honor not only our 
nation, but more importantly, we honor the universal spirit of a loving 
God who created us all. Thus, it is important that we remember, even as 
we grieve today, how we are all frail ephemeral human beings, groping 
through this veil of tears toward the infinite eternal perfection of 
the loving God, who created and awaits us all. It is a daunting 
calling, then, that we must answer; to strive, suffer and serve on 
behalf of our fellow human beings.
  But Mark was not daunted. Mark accepted this challenge and he 
devotedly, courageously, and honorably strove to help free an entire 
people. Now he is cradled in the arms of our loving God and, no doubt, 
having not slumbered through this earthly life he may truly say with 
joyous rapture; now God be thanked, who has matched us with his hour 
and caught our youth and wakened us from sleeping.
  Thank you and may God continue to bless you, Corporal Mark Kidd--
beloved son, grandson, brother, Marine, American.

                          ____________________