[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7117]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE SACRIFICE OF ARMY STAFF SERGEANT FRANCIS G. PHILLIPS IV

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANIEL B. MAFFEI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2013

  Mr. MAFFEI. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today 
to honor fallen Army Staff Sergeant Francis G. Phillips, IV, who made 
the ultimate sacrifice to protect and defend the freedoms of the United 
States of America. He was 28 years old.
  This week, he returned home to Auburn, New York, and his family will 
lay him to rest next week at Arlington National Cemetery. Staff 
Sergeant Francis G. Phillips, IV was killed on May 4, 2013 in Maiwand, 
Afghanistan along with four other members of his unit when their 
vehicle was struck by an enemy improvised explosive device. Francis 
Phillips, or Frankie as he was affectionately called by his family, 
embodied the same values that make this country extraordinary: 
Dedication, Honor and Pride.
  Staff Sergeant Phillips, of Meridian, New York was assigned to the 
1st Battalion, 36th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored 
Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. Francis joined the Army in 2004 and served 
one tour in Iraq and two previous tours in Afghanistan. This was 
Frankie's fourth deployment and third to Afghanistan.
  Francis is survived by his wife and daughter, Christine and Sophia 
Phillips, El Paso, TX; his mother, Cherie Phillips and fiance, Greg 
Race, Auburn; his dad, Francis ``Frank'' Phillips III, Lyons, NY; 
maternal grandmother, Jonnie Maxson-Manker, Springfield, Missouri; 
paternal grandparents, Betty Roberts, Seneca Falls, NY, Frank F. 
Phillips Jr., Savannah, NY; a brother, David Phillips, Auburn; a 
sister, Danielle Nicole Phillips, Land O'Lakes, FL; several aunts, 
uncles and cousins.
  Mr. Speaker, in appreciation of this young man's love for country, 
who gave his life protecting this great nation, I ask this Honorable 
Body to join me in honoring the legacy of Army Staff Sergeant Francis 
G. Phillips, IV.