[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8210]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO HUNTER HOEPTNER

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2017

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to and memory of 
Hunter Hoeptner of Jackson County, Oregon, who passed away on May 9, 
2017.
  A resident of Eagle Point, Oregon, Hunter was a proud graduate of 
Eagle Point High School. Throughout school he displayed his tremendous 
leadership skills and commitment to serving others, even as a young 
man. Hunter served as class president at Eagle Point High and logged 
more than 100 hours of community service. He also led on the wrestling 
mat, where he won the Class 5A 160-pound State Championship for the 
Eagles in 2014. Long after graduation, he continued volunteering with 
the local youth wrestling program, inspiring others with his passion 
for the sport he loved.
  That same tenacity and commitment to serving others motivated Hunter 
to serve his country in the Oregon Army National Guard.
  He was assigned to Second Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion--
186th Infantry Regiment, where he rose to the rank of Specialist and 
was preparing to attend Army Helicopter School.
  Hunter's character left an impact on his fellow soldiers, and the 
local community. Over 100 military personnel attended Hunter's memorial 
service, which was complete with a military flyover.
  Hunter's family, friends, neighbors, and total strangers touched by 
his story packed the stands of Eagle Point High School's football 
stadium to celebrate Hunter's life. At just 21 years old, this young 
man's life exemplified that of a community leader, star athlete, and 
American soldier devoted to serving others.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I offer my 
heartfelt condolences to Hunter's mother Lorelei and his father Kurt 
for the loss of their son.

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