[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 17035-17036]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]





                      HONORING MAJOR JUSTIN FITCH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Duffy) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DUFFY. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to remember Major Justin Fitch.

[[Page 17036]]

  A son of Hayward, Wisconsin, and a decorated Army officer, colon 
cancer took Justin's life far too soon, but not before he made an 
incredible mark on his community and his fellow veterans.
  While serving in Iraq in 2007, Justin suffered thoughts of suicide. 
He actually went so far as to put an M-4 rifle in his mouth. But, thank 
God, he never pulled the trigger.
  When he returned home, he claimed victory over his suicidal thoughts, 
but another battle was just beginning for Justin. He was diagnosed with 
colon cancer. He waged a 3-year battle fighting that disease. Despite a 
grim prognosis, he used his attention to shed light on a mounting issue 
that he knew all too well. At the time, on average, 22 veterans were 
committing suicide a day. That is about 8,000 a year.
  Justin knew that something had to be done. And so in between his 
chemotherapy treatments and surgeries, he took part in long ruck 
marches. He teamed up with veteran prevention organizations and freely 
gave out his number to any soldier who approached him who also had 
thoughts of suicide. Major Fitch, fighting the battle of his life with 
cancer, was also giving his time to help save other veterans who were 
suffering with suicidal thoughts.
  Major Fitch passed away in his hometown of Pleasant Prairie, 
Wisconsin, on October 3. He was 33 years old. His personal battle may 
be over, but his fight marches on. As Justin would say: ``It's okay to 
seek help. You can get help. Look at me.''
  And so, to Major Fitch, on behalf of a grateful Nation, we are 
thankful for your service and your sacrifice and your commitment to our 
veterans. May God bless you.

                          ____________________