[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 13168-13169]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           SKIP WELLS, A HERO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Tom Price) for 5 minutes.

[[Page 13169]]


  Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, sometimes the terrorism we 
witness in this day and age is a world away. Sometimes it occurs very 
close to home.
  Two weeks ago, terror visited Chattanooga, Tennessee, and, in so 
doing, hit home for us in Georgia. One of the five servicemen murdered 
on July 16 in Chattanooga grew up in the Sixth District of Georgia. He 
graduated from Sprayberry High School in 2012. Skip Wells was a 
marine--a proud marine, a proud American, and a hero.
  Last week, in Georgia, thousands gathered to honor the life of this 
patriot, Skip Wells, who lost his life in the terrorist attack in 
Chattanooga. Nothing we say will replace the loss, the heartbreak, and 
the pain of his family and friends, those who knew him best. But we can 
say how much heroes enlighten us--and inspire us--and strengthen the 
faith of our Nation and our lives.
  Skip Wells is a hero. It has been said that ``a hero is someone who 
has given his life to something bigger than oneself.'' That is 
precisely what Skip did.
  His closest friends said that Skip Wells felt called to serve, to 
protect. When asked why Skip joined the Marines, a friend of Skip's 
told folks simply that ``Skip just loved his country.'' He knew that 
freedom isn't free. He knew that liberty requires sacrifice. What an 
inspiration his dedication and his heroism are for all of us.
  Chesterton said that ``the true soldier fights not because he hates 
what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.'' 
Skip Wells loved his family, his friends, the Marines--oh, how he loved 
the Marines--and he loved his country.
  His death in the service of this great Nation places him in the ranks 
of those with the greatest of valor. On behalf of all who represent 
this Nation, we send our deepest and heartfelt thanks and sympathy to 
Skip's family and friends on their tragic loss. We all--every single 
American--mourn for those who make the ultimate sacrifice for this 
great land.
  The Bible says: ``Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be 
comforted.'' In its broadest sense, this verse is so very, very true. 
In the book of John, we read: ``Greater love has no one than this, that 
one lay down his life for his friends.''
  To his mom, Cathy, to his friends and family, you may be very, very 
proud of Skip and his ultimate sacrifice to our country. May God's 
grace comfort you in this difficult time. Please know that a grateful 
Nation loves you and mourns with you.
  May we never, ever, forget Skip Wells and the great men and women who 
stand in harm's way every single day and protect this, the greatest 
Nation on Earth. May God bless us all, and may he continue to bless the 
United States of America.

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