[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5637-5638]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          JONATHAN FRANK DAVIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I've come to the floor this morning 
with great sadness but also with a great sense of pride to honor the 
service of a Georgia hero, Private First Class Jonathan Frank Davis.
  On March 29, 2012, Jonathan gave the ultimate sacrifice in Kandahar 
province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
  Jonathan was the son of Reverend and Mrs. Kerry Davis of Griffin, 
Georgia. His mother, Tracey, described him as tenderhearted, a 
tenderness that extended to both his peers and animals. His heart was 
so large that they now have numerous pets running around their home due 
to Jonathan not being able to turn away a single stray.
  His nurturing and giving nature was one of the things that was loved 
most about him. As a child, Jonathan always stood up for his classmates 
who were being bullied, and many of Jonathan's peers remember that he 
was the first to come to their defense. He was willing to give his 
shirt off his back to help others and was always concerned about the 
well-being of everyone around him, especially those less fortunate.
  Jonathan was playful and strove to make others happy, either by 
playing funny pranks on them or with his unforgettable smile that could 
light up a room. Jonathan attended Griffin High School, where he played 
soccer, and after graduation, he, like myself, married his high school 
sweetheart. Her name is Kristen.
  Kristen is expecting their first child, and Jonathan talked all the 
time of how excited he was to become a father. He carried the sonogram 
of baby Benjamin in his wallet everywhere he went and couldn't wait to 
teach their baby boy soccer.
  Jonathan's unwavering courage, huge heart, and strong Christian faith 
are the reasons why he answered his calling to join the Army. He was 
assigned

[[Page 5638]]

to the 4th Squadron, 73rd Calvary Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team of 
the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was 
pursuing a medical career after the Army and, having already completed 
part of his EMT and paramedic training, was on the path to attending 
medical school.
  Jonathan was part of a scout group sweeping an area in Afghanistan 
and doing what he does best--protecting others--when his group came 
under enemy fire and he suffered fatal wounds. At only age 20, Jonathan 
was taken from us much too soon. On April 7, the First Assembly of God 
Church in Griffin, Georgia, celebrated the life of Jonathan, and he was 
laid to rest by his close family and friends.
  I am proud to stand before you and honor the life of PFC Jonathan 
Davis and thank him for his dedicated service to our country. His 
endless generosity and brave spirit are among the many reasons he will 
be missed so much by all who had the privilege to know him.
  Joan and I extend our deepest sympathy to the friends and family of 
Jonathan, and we will never forget his great sacrifice for our Nation 
and those that allow us to live free every day.
  Jonathan, until we meet again some day, thank you, Brother.

                          ____________________