[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 860]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  PASSING OF ANTHONY AND NICOLE RIGGAN

  Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, today I come to the floor to honor CPT 
Martin Anthony Riggan, Jr., and his wife Nicole Riggan. Their journey 
on this Earth was cut short but it was one filled with honor, purpose, 
and distinction.
  Anthony was one of those individuals whom everyone knew would grow up 
to be exceptional, and he did. I have known him since he was a small 
child. We went to church together. I think it was in maybe the seventh 
grade when he approached me the first time about going to the U.S. Air 
Force Academy. I have followed his path since he graduated from Pulaski 
Academy High School in Little Rock in 2003, where he served as class 
president, Honor Council president, and was a representative on the 
Varsity Football Leadership Council. During this time, Anthony received 
numerous awards for his character, service to others, and hard work.
  Then he fulfilled his lifelong dream to attend the United States Air 
Force Academy where he continued to receive accolades for performance 
and leadership. As a member of the Board of Visitors at the Air Force 
Academy, I was able to visit the academy from time to time. I enjoyed 
seeing the facilities and visiting with the brass, but honestly I most 
enjoyed getting to visit with Anthony in Colorado. During these times, 
he reminded me about the true definition of selfless service.
  In his senior year, Anthony was selected to be Group 1 Commander for 
the Cadet Wing, overseeing 1,200 cadets and their activities. He was 
also named cadet colonel, the highest rank possible for a cadet at the 
academy. He shared with me how excited he was to be graduating and how 
proud he was to serve our Nation in our military. I was proud of all he 
was achieving and he was certainly representing Arkansas well.
  Following graduation, Anthony began undergraduate pilot training in 
Columbus, MS, flying the T-6 Texan, the T-38 Talon and the B-1B Lancer 
Strategic Bomber. He received the Top Gun Award for Formation Flying 
and was presented with the Leadership Award by the local Air Force 
association. Classified as ``exceptionally qualified'' to pilot the B-
1, Anthony was scheduled to deploy this month to Qatar.
  In life, Anthony's favorite copilot was his wife Nicole. She shared 
his strong faith and purpose. After graduating from Colorado's Lewis-
Palmer High School as valedictorian, Nicole participated in Serteen, a 
volunteer program for teens and in mission trips to Peru and Guatemala.
  She went on to study theater education at the University of Northern 
Colorado, graduating magna cum laude. She pursued her theater career 
and continued leadership roles in Bible studies and youth groups. 
During this time, many of Anthony and Nicole's friends and families 
found guidance through the devotionals they regularly sent.
  Today we continue to find encouragement and inspiration through the 
selfless lives they lived. I will miss my friend Anthony and his lovely 
wife Nicole, and I look forward to the day when I see them again.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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