[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6824-6825]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                        Specialist Joseph Cemper

  Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, I rise today to remember a fallen hero, 
U.S. Army SPC Joseph Cemper. Specialist Cemper was based in eastern 
Afghanistan, in the area east of Kabul bordering Pakistan. This area is 
one of the areas where the fighting in the Afghan war has been the most 
intense.
  Specialist Cemper was serving with the 101st Special Troops Battalion 
of the 101st Airborne Division, one of the Army's most elite units. He 
and four fellow American soldiers were killed in a suicide attack that 
ultimately took 10 lives.
  Specialist Cemper had a long desire to serve his country, and was 
rightfully proud of his commitment to defend and to protect.
  He is mourned by his parents, three sisters, two brothers, a fiancee, 
and an infant son Liam. I know his family is proud of him, and will 
always remember his spirit, enthusiasm, competitiveness, and can-do 
attitude. They are the type of American family that constitute the 
pillars of our Armed Forces, and are the reason our Nation remains safe 
from its enemies.
  Joseph's father, SFC Eugene Cemper, has made service to the Army his 
life's work. As an Army recruiter, Sergeant Cemper had the unique 
experience of personally recruiting his son into the Army.
  As a father and a leader, Sergeant Cemper inspired both Specialist

[[Page 6825]]

Cemper and his younger brother, PFC Noah Cemper, to wear the uniform of 
an American soldier with pride.
  The Cemper family laid their son to rest in Papillion, NE, on April 
29, 2011. Specialist Cemper returned to his birthplace with valor and 
honor having been awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star 
Medals.
  I know I speak for all Nebraskans, and all Americans, when I say that 
despite our sorrow, we are deeply honored to have him.
  I cannot imagine the pain the Cemper family is suffering today. The 
loss unexpectedly of a son in combat is one of the most extreme trials 
a parent or loved one could face. I know, at this point, my words 
cannot ease their hurt.
  So I will end this tribute by saying what Specialist Cemper held 
close to his heart, so close that his family has inscribed it in a 
scrapbook which will one day be seen by his son. It reads:

       When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that 
     I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say 
     that I used everything you gave me.

  I hope he rests knowing that he died the bravest and most honorable 
death an American could. May God bless the Cemper family, their father 
and son still serving in the Armed Forces, and all our fighting men and 
women in harm's way.
  I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be 
allowed to speak for up to 15 minutes.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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