[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9708]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF AIRMAN 1ST CLASS OWENS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2012

  Mr. ROSS of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true 
patriot who died in service to this great country. On February 17, 
2011, Airman 1st Class Corey C. Owens, USAF, died of a non-combat 
related incident at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq in support of Operation 
New Dawn.
  Airman 1st Class Owens, 26, of San Antonio, Texas, was assigned to 
the 47th Security Forces Squadron, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and 
was on his second deployment to southwest Asia. His father resides in 
Story, Arkansas.
  Although I never had the honor of meeting Airman 1st Class Owens, it 
is clear by the outpouring of praise from his colleagues, friends, and 
family that he was well liked and well respected by all who knew him. 
In fact, local news reported that when Laughlin Air Base held a 
memorial service on Feb. 28, they had trouble finding a space large 
enough.
  Airman 1st Class Owens is survived by his current wife, Misty Owens; 
his two daughters, Xiya and Xoe Owens from his first marriage; his 
father, Steve Owens of Story, Ark.; his mother, Chris Owens of 
Springfield, Ill.; two sisters, Ann Kusterbeck of Princeton, Tex., and 
Sandra Owens of Springfield, Ill.; two uncles, two aunts, two nieces, 
one nephew and several cousins.
  When we think of true heroes, we think of brave Americans like Airman 
1st Class Owens who risk everything to defend freedom and serve this 
great county. We will always be grateful for his selfless sacrifice and 
he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers 
go out to his parents and the rest of his family and friends during 
this very difficult time. We are who we are as a nation because of 
patriots like Airman 1st Class Owens.
  Today, I ask all Members of Congress to join me as we honor the life 
of Airman 1st Class Corey Owens and his legacy, as well as each man and 
woman in our Armed Forces, and all of those in harm's way supporting 
their efforts, who give the ultimate sacrifice in service to this great 
country. We owe them our eternal gratitude.

                          ____________________