[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12066-12067]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     NAVY LT. BRAD SNYDER EMBARKS ON HIS NEXT MISSION--OLYMPIC GOLD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2012

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Navy Lt. 
Brad Snyder, of St. Petersburg, Florida, who I not only have the honor 
and privilege to represent but who I appointed to the United States 
Naval Academy.
  Lieutenant Snyder is an American hero who lost his eye sight in 
Afghanistan while carrying out an extremely dangerous mission to 
protect the lives of his team in the field.
  Lieutenant Snyder is emblematic of the American volunteer spirit that 
is the cornerstone of our Nation's fighting force. As a record setting 
swimmer at Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, he informed me in 
2001 of his desire to attend the United States Naval Academy.
  ``I believe that to serve my country, and by attending the Naval 
Academy, I would be making the most of what I have been given by God,'' 
Brad wrote to me in his candidate statement. I was proud to nominate 
Brad in December 2001 and with his appointment, he joined the Class of 
2006 in Annapolis during the summer of 2002.
  Brad was an outstanding Midshipman. He demonstrated his exceptional 
leadership skill as the Captain of the Navy Swim Team. His coaches, 
teammates, and fellow sailors all extolled his exceptional work ethic 
and amiable, trustworthy behavior.
  During his time at Annapolis, Brad learned of the mission of our 
explosive ordinance disposal, EOD, teams, the fearless men and women 
who dismantle explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, to 
protect Americans in the field, often endangering their own lives in 
the process. Brad decided that he wanted to volunteer for this 
dangerous assignment.
  Lieutenant Snyder graduated in May 2006 and became an Explosive 
Ordinance Officer. After a 6 month deployment to Iraq, Lieutenant 
Snyder was deployed to Afghanistan on April 11, 2011. Despite his 
father's passing while he was in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Snyder decided 
to remain on deployment with his team. On September 7, 2011, the front 
of Lieutenant Snyder's patrol team set off an IED. While providing aid, 
Lieutenant Snyder stepped on a pressure plate, detonating another 
unseen IED. The second blast inflicted severe burns and permanently 
blinded him. While recovering at the Walter Reed National Military 
Medical Center, Lt. Brad Snyder remained positive and focused on 
healing.
  Less than 2 months after losing his sight, Lieutenant Snyder returned 
to the swimming pool and swam several hundred meters on his first 
attempt. He continued to progress and train with the intent to serve 
his country, this time as a member of the U.S. Paralympics Swim Team.
  Just last month, Lieutenant Snyder fulfilled his dream and qualified 
for the team that will represent the United States in London later this 
summer.
  As I look back over Brad's candidate statement to me 11 years ago, I 
was struck by one of his life goals. Brad wrote, ``Initially it was 
Olympic gold that I dreamed of, but as reality set in I realized that 
the military was a more realistic dream. Today I dream that I will be 
an officer in the best Navy the world has ever seen, and I hope that my 
contributions to the Navy can help it grow strong.''
  Mr. Speaker, Lt. Brad Snyder has already achieved one of his goals--
to be an officer in the best Navy the world has ever seen and to help 
it grow strong. He sacrificed his vision to protect his fellow sailors, 
soldiers, and Marines. It is my hope that my colleagues will join me in 
saying thank you to Lieutenant Snyder for the steep price he paid to 
protect our freedom and at the same time to wish him God speed as he 
sets off to London to achieve his next goal--to bring home gold from 
the 2012 Paralympics.
  When I see the spirit and courage of Lt. Brad Snyder, I am confident 
that our nation is in good hands with a new generation of leaders who 
understand the value of service and sacrifice. Our best wishes go out 
to him that a gold medal may be but one of many great achievements Brad 
achieves over his lifetime.

         Congress of the United States, C.W. Bill Young, House of 
           Representatives,
                                                   Washington, DC.


                         CANDIDATE'S STATEMENT

       Young men and women who are selected for training at one or 
     our Service Academies receive an outstanding and costly 
     education at the expense of the United States Government. 
     Graduates are normally required to serve at least their five 
     years after graduation. Congressman Young is most anxious to 
     select young men and women who sincerely desire a service 
     career and who fully intend to make it their life's work. 
     Therefore, applicants for appointment to one of the Service

[[Page 12067]]

     Academies are requested to complete the following:
       I, Bradley W. Snyder, a candidate for appointment to one of 
     the United States Service Academies, do hereby certify that 
     my application is motivated primarily by a desire to serve my 
     country as a career officer. I further state that it is my 
     intention, if appointed, to graduate from the Academy and 
     make service in the Armed Forces of the United States my 
     profession and career. I make this statement in good 
     conscience and without mental reservation. Moreover. I want 
     to serve my country as a career officer in the U.S. Navy 
     because: (Please type in space below)
       The Naval Academy is one of the best institutions in the 
     world, and has the most potential for development in mind and 
     character. I believe that to serve my country, and by 
     attending the Naval Academy, I would be making the most out 
     of what I have been given by God. As a young child I dreamed 
     that perhaps one day, I could have the chance to represent 
     the great country of the United States and be a part of it's 
     world dominance. Initially it was Olympic gold that I dreamed 
     of, but as reality set in I realized that the military was a 
     more realistic dream. Today I dream that I will be an officer 
     in the best Navy the world has ever seen, and I hope that my 
     contribution to the Navy can help it grow stronger,

     Signature Bradley W. Snyder Date 09/06/01.

                          ____________________