[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5524-5526]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT MAXWELL R. DORLEY

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today, along with the Presiding 
Officer, my colleague, Senator Whitehouse, to

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pay my respect and honor the life of Sergeant Maxwell R. Dorley, a 
distinguished and beloved member of the Providence Police Department, 
who passed away tragically in the line of duty.
  Sergeant Dorley's personal story, which began in Liberia is another 
example of the extraordinary contribution of the Liberian community to 
the State of Rhode Island, along with recently deceased Lance Corporal 
Tarwoe of the U.S. Marines. Sergeant Dorley's story is also another 
example of inspiration and hope for all of us.
  At the young age of 7, Sergeant Dorley followed his aunt, Hawa 
Vincent, to Providence, beginning his own chapter of the American 
dream, and he wrote a remarkable chapter in that great story of 
America. Sergeant Dorley attended Mount Pleasant High School, and not 
only graduated at the top of his class earning admission to Brown 
University, but he also befriended Kou, who would become his wife and 
partner for 27 years. His love and devotion to his family was so deep 
and genuine that when their first child, Amanda, was on her way, 
Sergeant Dorley declined admission to Brown University and began 
working four jobs so he could support his new family.
  At this early stage in his life, Sergeant Dorley chose to prioritize 
his new family over himself. And as he did so many times throughout his 
life, Sergeant Dorley thought about others before he thought of 
himself. His example of hard work--four jobs to support the family--is 
the story of America, coming here from someplace else, working as hard 
as you can to build a strong family and contribute to a strong 
community.
  From helping his family pay off the notes on their cars to gathering 
old and used police uniforms for his fellow police officers in Liberia, 
Sergeant Dorley exemplified the best of what we expect from our public 
servants--a deep commitment to serving others for the greater good.
  While terribly tragic, Sergeant Dorley passed away last Thursday 
doing what he knew best, helping others by trying to come to the aid of 
his Providence Police Officers, Edwin Kemble and Tony Hampton, who were 
trying to break up a fight.
  Today, we offer our deepest condolences, and our thoughts are with 
all of Sergeant Dorley's family, friends, and colleagues, but 
especially with his mother, Miatta, who is traveling from Liberia, his 
wife Kou, and daughter Amanda, his son Robert, and all of his beloved 
family. We join them in celebrating Sergeant Dorley's many 
contributions.
  Despite his short time with us, he gave us much, and we honor his 
memory and his service to the people of Providence as a Providence 
Police Officer.
  The loss of Sergeant Dorley is also a reminder of the great sacrifice 
and incredible courage of all of our Police Officers who voluntarily 
put themselves in harm's way to preserve the peace and stability that 
allows us to enjoy our own lives. Today, we especially salute the 
service and sacrifice of Sergeant Dorley, and we honor the legacy he 
leaves of serving others and prioritizing the greater good over his own 
personal interest. We have indeed lost a remarkable individual and a 
great example of selfless service. Again, we offer our deepest 
condolences to his family.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Reed). The Senator from Rhode Island is 
recognized.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, it is an honor to follow my senior 
Senator, Jack Reed, who has been kind enough to preside now for me so 
that we may deliver these remarks together.
  The State of Rhode Island has lost two men in recent days, two men 
who came from far away to our State to dedicate themselves to its 
service and to the service of our country, one serving our country with 
honor and distinction in Afghanistan and the other serving our Ocean 
State's great capital city of Providence.
  U.S. Marine LCpl Abraham Tarwoe, of Providence, was a mortarman with 
Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine 
Division out of Camp Lejeune, NC. He deployed with the Second Marine 
Expeditionary Force Forward, where he served as a dog handler in 
addition to his duties as a mortarman.
  Abraham was born in Liberia during a time of civil war. His mother 
and father sent him to America when he was only 7 years old to find a 
better life. He joined our Liberian community in Rhode Island, which is 
an important and valued part of our Rhode Island civic life.
  Abraham grew of age and joined the Marines in June of 2009 and was 
promoted to Lance Corporal in August of 2010. In December he deployed 
for a second tour of duty to Afghanistan. He had earned the Combat 
Action Ribbon, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Afghanistan 
Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National 
Defense Service Medal, and the NATO Medal.
  He died Thursday, April 12, from wounds sustained from an improvised 
explosive device during a dismounted patrol in support of combat 
operations in the Marjah district of Helmand Province. He was 25 years 
old.
  His commanding officer, Captain Charles E. Anklam III, said Abraham 
had an understanding of suffering and sacrifice from his childhood and 
family ties to Liberia. ``He also knew about disproportionate 
service,'' Captain Anklam said. ``He held no birth obligation to 
America; in fact his citizenship was still being processed when he gave 
his life for his newly adopted country and his brothers-in-arms.''
  Abraham leaves behind his wife, Juah Kelly, and their 18-month-old 
baby boy, Avant Kar, who Abraham would talk to by webcam almost every 
night. My prayers for comfort and solace go out to them, and to 
Abraham's mother Famatta Kar, his brother Randall Kar, and to his 
network of extended family and friends in the United States and 
Liberia.
  A memorial service will be held by Abraham's family and friends in 
Rhode Island this weekend. And then Abraham will be transported to 
Liberia, where a funeral will be held and he will be laid to rest.
  On Monday, in Afghanistan, the Marines and sailors of Weapons Company 
gathered around a makeshift battlefield cross for their own memorial 
service in Abraham's honor. As Abraham's comrades stepped forward one 
by one to pay their silent respect, Yeager, the black lab who had been 
Abraham's partner since July 2011, walked to the front and lay down 
before his handler's cross.
  The Marine's Prayer says, in part: ``Protect my family. Give me the 
will to do the work of a Marine.''
  Abraham's wife Juah said that the Marine Corps was Abraham's other 
love, his second family. Abraham died doing the work of a Marine. And 
we pray in Abraham's memory for the protection of his brothers and 
sisters so bravely serving our country in the Marine Corps, and of his 
beloved family here at home.
  Like Lance Corporal Tarwoe, Providence Police Sergeant Maxwell Dorley 
was also born in Liberia, and came to America as a child. He and his 
mother settled in Providence and Max attended Mount Pleasant High 
School where he met his high school sweetheart and wife, Kou. Max 
worked four jobs to support their young family, and eventually became a 
Providence police officer, where he would serve the people of Rhode 
Island's capital city for 15 years.
  Max practiced community policing in the truest sense. He went by his 
first name when he was on patrol. His life experiences growing up in 
Providence public housing allowed him to relate to the kids in the 
neighborhoods on his beat.
  Max was dedicated to the Police Department, and to the men and women 
of the force. When a call for back-up came across the radio this past 
Thursday morning from two officers trying to break up a fight on River 
Avenue, Max leapt into his cruiser. As he rushed to the aid of his 
fellow officers, lights and sirens blaring, he swerved to avoid a 
collision with a car that crossed his path. He lost control and struck 
a utility pole. He was rushed to

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Rhode Island Hospital, but his injuries were too great. Maxwell Dorley 
died at age 41.
  He now joins a list of other Providence, Police Officers who have 
given their lives: Steven Shaw, Cornel Young, and James Allen.
  Max is remembered as a devoted husband and loving father, always 
seeking the best for his children, Amanda and Robert, and encouraging 
them to follow their dreams. ``Life has no limits,'' he would tell 
them.
  Today, on behalf of the people of Rhode Island and the U.S. Senate, I 
send my wholehearted condolences to Kou, Amanda, and Robert, to Max's 
mother, Miatta Dorley, and to the brave men and women of the Providence 
Police Force who have lost another colleague and friend.
  Max gave his life protecting the citizens of our community. And for 
that, we owe him a gratitude that we cannot repay.
  We mourn the loss of two good men. Two men with similar beginnings, 
and a common calling to serve and protect others. Abraham and Max 
helped make our neighborhoods, our country, our world a better and 
safer place to live. They gave their lives, making a real difference in 
the lives of so many others. We honor them today in the U.S. Senate.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Whitehouse). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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