[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12295]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER ARMY SERGEANT (SGT) 
                        TAUREAN TRAVANTI' HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army 
Sergeant (SGT) Taurean Travanti' Harris who paid the ultimate sacrifice 
while defending our great nation on August 2, 2007, during Operation 
Enduring Freedom. SGT Harris died of wounds he received from an 
improvised explosive device in Kala Gush, Afghanistan. SGT Harris was 
assigned to the 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 513th Military 
Intelligence Brigade, Fort Gordon, GA.
  SGT Harris, a Liberty native, attended Amite County High School. He 
served as a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) cadet 
throughout high school. He graduated with honors in 2003. SGT Harris 
followed in the footsteps of his uncle, Frederick Wagner, and joined 
the U.S. Army.
  SGT Harris' mother, Yolanda Wagner, said that her son was loved by 
all who knew him.
  ``Taurean truly was a beautiful person,'' Mrs. Wagner said. ``He was 
the man every girl wanted to marry. Everybody loved him. He strived for 
excellence. He always wanted to better himself.''
  Mrs. Wagner said SGT Harris' memorial service, held at the Jerusalem 
Baptist Church, was unforgettable.
  ``I was so emotional,'' Mrs. Wagner said. ``It was an honor to see so 
many people come out to honor him and support us. It was amazing.''
  According to the Associated Press, hundreds of family, friends, and 
military personnel came to the funeral. Mrs. Wagner says over 100 
members of The Patriot Guard led the procession.
  During the service, Brigadier General (BG) Jeffrey Foley commended 
SGT Harris for his positive attitude. ``He was able to bring joy to 
whatever we would do,'' BG Foley said. ``No matter what the task.''
  For his service, SGT Harris earned the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, 
and a Good Conduct medal.
  Mrs. Wagner says SGT Harris was honored for his service during a 
ceremony held on the tenth anniversary of his death. A portion of 
Highway 48, close to the Jerusalem Community where he grew up, was 
named in his honor by Mississippi Department of Transportation 
Commissioner Mike Tagert.
  SGT Harris is survived by his daughter, Tiana Marie Harris; his 
daughter's mother, Joanie Poleder; his parents, Cecil Harris and 
Yolanda Wagner; his four brothers, Justin Davis, William Harris, 
Christian Harris, and Okoye Harris; and his sisters, Tara Cockerham and 
Bianca Sesson.

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