[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10897]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING MATT PIERCE FOR HIS SELFLESS DECISION TO FOREGO HIS LAST 
             FOOTBALL SEASON AT OLE MISS TO ENTER THE ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I 
rise to honor Mr. Matt Pierce, a young man from Mobile, Alabama, who 
has made the selfless decision to forego his final football season at 
Ole Miss in order to be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 
United States Army.
  A former UMS-Wright football star, Matt was the MVP of the 2001 4A 
State championship game. As a child, he dreamed of playing football in 
the Southeastern Conference and, after walking on at Ole Miss and being 
redshirted his freshman year, Matt's dream came true. In just his 
sophomore year, he started in the game against the University of 
Alabama.
  With his final football season just months away, Matt chose to forego 
his fifth season in order to join the Army and do ``something 
important.''
  Madam Speaker, it is this type of story that should make us pause and 
give thanks to God that there are still young men like Matt Pierce. His 
actions personify the very best America has to offer. I feel certain 
his many friends and family, as well as his former teammates at UMS-
Wright and Ole Miss, share the pride of a grateful Nation.
  I urge my colleagues to take a moment and pay tribute to Matt Pierce 
and his selfless devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy. We 
need more people like Matt Pierce in this world--a true inspiration to 
all Americans.

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