[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 72]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1210
             IN MEMORY OF SPECIALIST CHRISTOPHER PATTERSON

  (Mr. HULTGREN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of 
Specialist Christopher Patterson.
  Christopher, a 2009 graduate of West Aurora High School in Illinois, 
came from a military family. He joined the National Guard while 
studying music education at Valparaiso University, but in his own 
words, he didn't join the Guard just for money for school. He joined to 
serve his country. His conviction to serve was so strong that he chose 
to join his Guard unit overseas when they were sent to Afghanistan, 
even though he could have stayed behind to continue his studies.
  Just 3 weeks ago, Christopher and three other soldiers were working 
in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan to clear combat routes for 
convoys to pass through when an IED detonated and took his life.
  Today we honor Christopher and the ultimate sacrifice he paid for our 
country and give our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends 
during this difficult time. We are, and will remain, eternally grateful 
for Christopher's service and sacrifice to our country.

                          ____________________