[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25219]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE MEMORY OF FALLEN U.S. MILITARY HEROES, THE SACRIFICE OF 
   THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE WORK OF THE SNOWBALL EXPRESS ORGANIZATION

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                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 2009

  Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, today I honor the memory of our fallen 
military heroes, recognize the sacrifice of their families and laud the 
excellent work of the Snowball Express Organization and its many 
partners, sponsors and volunteers.
  Freedom is not free--it comes at an incredible cost. Throughout our 
nation's history, whenever our country is attacked or when the enemies 
of freedom threaten peace in our world, American men and women in 
uniform, from all backgrounds and all walks of life, have answered the 
call to defend our nation. From the American Revolution to Operation 
Iraqi Freedom, many of America's best and brightest have paid the price 
of our freedom with their lives.
  The families of these brave men and women also make tremendous 
sacrifices. Military families play a vital support role to our troops 
in harm's way and are left to carry on life without their wife, 
husband, mother, father, brother or sister. As much as we remember the 
men and women who lay down their life to protect us, we should also 
remember and support their families and the incredible sacrifice they 
make on a daily basis, as they seek to continue on with their life, 
remembering and honoring their departed loved one. My son and daughter 
live in a better, more free and more secure America because of the 
sacrifices of these families and their heroes.
  Snowball Express was founded with the goal of providing ``hope and 
new memories to the children of our fallen military heroes who died 
while on active duty since September 11, 2001.'' I can only imagine how 
hard it must be to carry on with holidays, birthdays and normal life 
with your loved one missing. The outstanding staff, partners, sponsors 
and volunteers at Snowball Express are committed to providing rays of 
sunshine for children whose worlds have been rocked by incredible loss 
and they are to be commended.
  As Ronald Reagan said, ``We will always remember. We will always be 
proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.'' Madam 
Speaker, on behalf of the Fifth District of Texas, I am humbled and 
honored to recognize our nation's heroes, their families and Snowball 
Express.

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