[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12671]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 27--HONORING THE SERVICE OF SERGEANT FIRST 
  CLASS LEROY ARTHUR PETRY, A NATIVE OF SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, AND THE 
  SECOND LIVING RECIPIENT OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR SINCE THE VIETNAM WAR

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico (for himself and Mr. Bingaman) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Armed Services:

                            S. Con. Res. 27

       Whereas Sergeant First Class Leroy Arthur Petry of the 
     United States Army, a native of Santa Fe, New Mexico, was 
     awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama on July 12, 
     2011;
       Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest honor awarded to 
     members of the Armed Forces for valor in combat;
       Whereas the official citation awarding the Medal of Honor 
     to Sergeant First Class Petry states that then-Staff Sergeant 
     Petry ``distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and 
     intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call 
     of duty in action with an armed enemy in the vicinity of 
     Paktya Province, Afghanistan, on May 26, 2008'';
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry joins an elite group of 
     Medal of Honor recipients dating back to the Civil War;
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry has continued a long 
     tradition of military service to the United States by New 
     Mexicans, dating back to the defense of the Western United 
     States during the Civil War, and followed by participation in 
     every major war fought by the United States;
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry is the second living 
     recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War;
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry fought with bravery and, 
     despite wounds to both of his legs, had the courage and quick 
     thinking needed to save the lives of his fellow soldiers by 
     throwing back an enemy grenade and losing his right hand when 
     the grenade detonated shortly after he released it;
       Whereas the actions of Sergeant First Class Petry represent 
     the highest values of the Army, the Rangers, and the United 
     States;
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry has consistently 
     demonstrated humility and dedication to his fellow soldiers;
       Whereas Sergeant First Class Petry, who overcame a troubled 
     youth and found the strength to turn his life around and 
     dedicate himself to serving the United States, is an example 
     to all people who are struggling in the United States; and
       Whereas the brave actions of Sergeant First Class Petry, as 
     well as his modesty and selfless service, stand as the 
     embodiment of the best attributes of the people of the United 
     States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) honors the service and sacrifice of Sergeant First 
     Class Leroy Arthur Petry of the United States Army and his 
     family; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to recognize 
     the valor, heroism, and dedication to the United States 
     exhibited by Sergeant First Class Petry.

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a 
resolution with Senator Jeff Bingaman honoring the bravery and 
sacrifice of Santa Fe, New Mexico native Sergeant First Class Leroy 
Arthur Petry, an Army Ranger who in 2008 risked his life to save his 
fellow soldiers on the battlefields of Afghanistan and who was awarded 
the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Obama in July.
  I was humbled to be at the White House along with Sergeant First 
Class Petry's family, friends, and fellow soldiers as President Obama 
honored him with the Congressional Medal of Honor. It was truly a 
special day for everyone involved as we honored only the second living, 
active-duty service member to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor 
for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.
  On July 12, I detailed the actions of Sergeant First Class Petry. 
Under enemy fire, with bullet wounds in both of his legs, Sergeant 
First Class Petry still had the courage and valor to render aid to his 
fellow Rangers and to throw a grenade that landed near his fellow 
soldiers back towards the enemy.
  When the grenade exploded, it took with it Sergeant First Class 
Petry's hand, but not his spirit. Not even the loss of a hand would 
stop him from fighting the enemy and supporting his unit. He would tie 
a tourniquet to his arm and continue the fight.
  As I have said before, Sergeant First Class Petry's story is one of 
courage and sacrifice and immense love of country. It is a story that 
began years ago in Santa Fe with a young man who struggled in high 
school but refused to give up, to drop out and instead buckled down, 
dug deep, and found the hero within. A hero to the men he saved that 
fateful day in Afghanistan, and a hero to all Americans who owe their 
freedoms to our brave men and women in uniform.
  Today, let us honor him further with this resolution and send the 
message that Congress honors his service and sacrifice.

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