[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15778]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         REMEMBERING U.S. NAVY COMMANDER CHRISTOPHER E. KALAFUT

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                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 14, 2014

  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and 
celebrate the life of U.S. Navy Commander Christopher E. Kalafut, of 
Acworth, GA, and honor his service to this great nation.
  Commander Kalafut passed away in late October while serving at Al 
Udeid Air Base in Qatar at the age of 49.
  A native of Oceanside, California, Kalafut was a gifted student and 
athlete. Upon his graduation, he attended the prestigious U.S. Merchant 
Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY where he earned a Bachelor of Science 
and was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1987. Chris earned his pilot 
wings in 1990 and spent 23 years as an Active Duty and Reserve pilot 
flying the E-2C Hawkeye in support of combat, humanitarian, and 
disaster relief missions.
  Chris also served as a U.S. Customs pilot, flew for Delta Airlines, 
and was first an officer based out of Atlanta. In 2001, Kalafut and his 
family settled in Acworth, where they have lived ever since.
  Kalafut was a loving father to his 5 children and his wife, Mary 
Qualls-Kalafut. His unwavering devotion to his family and his country 
will be greatly missed.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest condolences to Commander Kalafut's 
family and loved ones during this most difficult of times.

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