[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 18106]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING SERGEANT MANELLA FOR WINNING ARMY'S BEST WARRIOR 
                              COMPETITION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Swalwell) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize 
Sergeant First Class Jason Manella, who recently won the Non-
Commissioned Officer of the Year Award last week during the Army's best 
warrior competition. Jason is from my district in Fremont, California, 
and recently moved within my district to Hayward, California.
  The Army's best warrior competition is a 3-day event that tests the 
soldier's physical and mental toughness. Sergeant Manella is the first 
ever reservist to win this prestigious Army-wide title.
  Sergeant Manella is a member of the Reserve's 445th Civil Affairs 
Battalion based in Mountain View. While serving in Afghanistan in 2012, 
Sergeant Manella had his convoy attacked. While it was attacked, it 
left him with a traumatic brain injury.
  Sergeant Manella's story is one of hope and the power of resilience. 
As part of Sergeant Manella's recovery, he focused on training for the 
Army's Best Warrior Competition.
  Back in August of this year, I had the opportunity to visit 
Afghanistan. I was able to meet with soldiers, men and women, serving 
from California's 15th Congressional District. Over in Afghanistan, I 
saw firsthand what our men and women in the armed services endure each 
day to make sure that we rid Afghanistan as a breeding ground for 
terrorism and make sure that never again the United States is attacked 
from enemies created abroad.
  I am very thankful for the service of people like Sergeant Manella 
and those I met with while I was in Afghanistan. I know that Operation 
Enduring Freedom has led to thousands of Americans being wounded who 
served over in Afghanistan and are healing today back home on their own 
path to recovery.
  Sergeant Manella's story is truly one that is uplifting for every 
soldier, man and woman, who is recovering.
  Congratulations again to Sergeant Manella. Your strength, your 
determination, and your character is an inspiration to thousands of 
other wounded men and women of our armed services.

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