[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14107-14108]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    FIRST SERGEANT P. ANDREW McKENNA

  (Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, last month Rhode Island and the United 
States lost a hero when First Sergeant P. Andrew McKenna, an Army Green 
Beret serving in Kabul, Afghanistan, was killed during an attack on a 
NATO facility. He ran into danger so that the lives of hundreds of his 
fellow soldiers would be spared and, in doing so, lost his own life.

[[Page 14108]]

  During his 17 years of service, Sergeant McKenna completed five tours 
of duty in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. His patriotism, loyalty, and 
sense of duty embodied all of the best values of Rhode Island and our 
entire Nation.
  I was fortunate to meet Sergeant McKenna just 2 months ago at the 
Bristol Fourth of July parade, where he was presented with a flag flown 
over the United States Capitol. I am grateful that I had this 
opportunity to thank him for his service to our country.
  As we mark the 14th anniversary of the September 11 attacks today, it 
is important to remember there are still nearly 10,000 American troops 
serving in Afghanistan. We owe them and all of our men and women in 
uniform our gratitude for the sacrifices they have made so that we can 
all enjoy freedom and live safely.
  My thoughts continue to be with Sergeant McKenna's parents, Carol and 
Peter, and his entire family during this incredibly difficult time. It 
is my hope that the heartfelt gratitude of our entire Nation will be a 
source of comfort to his family.

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