[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3783]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING STAFF SERGEANT RYAN PITTS, AMERICAN HERO

  (Mr. GUINTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GUINTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of New Hampshire's 
own, Staff Sergeant Ryan Pitts, an American hero and recipient of the 
Medal of Honor. As one of only nine living soldiers to be awarded this 
distinct honor, his is a shining example of this generation's sacrifice 
on our behalf.
  Staff Sergeant Pitts demonstrated an incredible amount of courage, 
bravery, and honor as he fought to hold off a Taliban ambush during one 
of the bloodiest battles of the war in Afghanistan. Despite being 
attacked by more than 200 Taliban militants and sustaining injuries of 
his own, Pitts singlehandedly defended his platoon's observation post--
his fight unwavering.
  Every day our servicemembers like Staff Sergeant Pitts put themselves 
in harm's way to defend our liberties, our Nation, and our freedom, and 
for that we are forever grateful.
  Mr. Speaker, during that very ambush, nine of his comrades made the 
ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We shall not and we will not forget 
their bravery and sacrifice.
  Since 1861, the Congressional Medal of Honor has been awarded to just 
over 3,400 of our Nation's bravest soldiers. It is my honor to 
recognize Staff Sergeant Pitts today.

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