[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16421]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN LEWIS LARKIN O'HERN III

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize U.S. Army CPT 
Lewis Larkin O'Hern III for his extraordinary dedication to duty and 
honorable service to our Nation. During his exemplary career with the 
Army from May 2008 to January 2017, Captain O'Hern made an immense 
impact on those he worked with both in the Army and here in Congress.
  Captain O'Hern was born at Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis, 
WA, and grew up in a military family before graduating from Belton High 
School in Belton, Texas, in 2004. He received his commission from the 
U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2008. After completing the 
infantry office basic course, airborne school, and Ranger school at 
Fort Benning, GA, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, Air 
Assault, at Fort Campbell, KY, where he served as a rifle platoon 
leader. He deployed to Kandahar in June 2010 and, after 7 months in 
Afghanistan was severely wounded, suffering the loss of both legs and a 
hand. In the course of his 2 and a half year recovery, Captain O'Hern 
completed the Defense Strategy Course and worked as a future operations 
planner at U.S. Army North. In 2013, Captain O'Hern was accepted into 
the Army's prestigious Congressional Fellowship Program. He earned a 
master's degree in legislative affairs from George Washington 
University and in 2014 served as my defense legislative fellow. 
Following his fellowship, Captain O'Hern continued to serve as an Army 
legislative liaison in the Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison.
  Captain O'Hern has performed at the top of his profession throughout 
his career, providing motivation and serving as a role model for his 
fellow servicemembers and colleagues. Captain O'Hern demonstrated his 
impressive intellect in all duties, questioning assumptions and pushing 
team members to achieve their highest potential. He easily grasped the 
complexities of policymaking and the appropriations processes, greatly 
contributing to both while in my office.
  Part of what makes Captain O'Hern such a remarkable leader is that 
his great intellect is coupled with incredible humanity and compassion. 
I witnessed his inexhaustible drive to provide assistance to fellow 
servicemembers and veterans, which is in the image of some of the 
Army's greatest leaders. I was privileged to have Captain O'Hern as an 
enormously important member of my legislative team. His contributions 
continue to resonate today.
  Captain O'Hern models resilience and determination. His story is a 
testament to the power of a positive can-do attitude and a shining 
example of the refusal to let obstacles stand in his way. Captain 
O'Hern's inspirational journey would not have been possible without the 
unfailing support from his exceptional wife. Mrs. Rachel Brooks O'Hern 
was an integral partner in Captain O'Hern's recovery. In addition to 
undertaking her substantial caregiver role, Rachel also built an 
impressive career of her own, serving the wider veteran community.
  It is my honor to recognize this remarkable couple and congratulate 
Captain O'Hern on his military retirement as he proceeds to the next 
chapter of his life. I ask the entire country to thank him for his 
service and dedication.

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