[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8848-8849]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. JOHN J. DAWDY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2015

  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Mr. John J. 
Dawdy for his

[[Page 8849]]

courageous service to our country. A graduate of Mabank High School, 
Private First Class Dawdy served in the 1 Marine Expeditionary Force (1 
MEF) during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  On March 19, 2004, Pfc. Dawdy was driving a seven-ton truck in his 
unit's convoy. Shortly after leaving Camp Fallujah, Iraq, the convoy 
hit an improvised explosive device. With his leg torn with shrapnel, 
Pfc. Dawdy still managed to maintain control of his truck and 
maneuvered nearly one hundred yards before pulling off to the side of 
the road and losing consciousness. As a testament to his bravery and 
leadership, a fellow Marine called Pfc. Dawdy a ``father figure'' who 
made ``all the wise decisions.'' Pfc. Dawdy was awarded the Purple 
Heart for the injuries he sustained in combat while bravely serving his 
country.
  Humbly, I echo the words of President Ronald Reagan, ``We will always 
remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we 
will always be free.'' And humbly, I offer my sincere gratitude to Pfc. 
John J. Dawdy for his service and acts of bravery that allow us the 
freedoms we enjoy today.

                          ____________________