Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Bettie J. Broussard Curtis, a distinguished educator and woman of profound spiritual convictions. Mrs. Curtis was born and raised in Orange, Texas to her parents Shelton and Ophelia Broussard. Coming from a family of thirteen, Mrs. Curtis learned a strong work ethic and faith in God from her parents which no doubt led to her success. Mrs. Curtis married her husband James Ilenton Curtis in 1963 and was married for 31 years before his demise.

Mrs. Curtis received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Education from Wiley College and a Master of Education Degree in Business from Texas Southern University in Houston. While pursuing her advanced studies she taught at both Texas Southern and Lamar University.

Mrs. Curtis is best known for her 56 years as a business education teacher for West Orange-Cove CISD where she inspired her students with her beautiful smile, gracious demeanor, and the skills necessary for success in the global workplace. The school district honored her by naming the new elementary school library the Bettie J. Curtis Library.

Mrs. Curtis has always shown a strong commitment to civic and political organizations throughout her community--she was named the first African American to serve as President of District V Texas State Teachers Association as well as involvement in National Education Association, Texas Business and Technology Educators Association, National Business Education Association, NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Top Ladies of Distinction. Mrs. Curtis has also received countless awards including Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Educator and Woman of the Year at Mount Olive Baptist Church just to name a few.

On Saturday, January 13, 2018 Mrs. Curtis will be presented with the Blossoming Minds MLK Gala Legend Award, and for this I congratulate her. This award is a testament to her passionate service to others and unwavering commitment to her community and faith in God. It is my privilege to honor her for this special achievement and incredible career.

Madam Speaker, some folks in Washington are upset because we just passed the largest tax cut in American history. They think this money is Washington's money and that politicians and bureaucrats should decide how to spend it.

I could not disagree more. You and I know that this money belongs to the American people, came right out of their wallets.

Under our new law, we put hardworking families first by helping them cope with the cost of raising children by doubling the child tax credit. We also help small businesses by cutting their taxes so that they can compete with foreign companies and create jobs right here in America.

Well, for those folks who don't think they need an extra $1,500 or so, or who think politicians and bureaucrats can spend their money better, I have a solution: go ahead and drop your new refund check in the mail. Send it to the IRS. They will be glad to take your money.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a great woman for her military service and to recognize her unprecedented accomplishments, Senior Airman Katie Mae Cogbill of the United States Air Force. Airman Cogbill was born on November 26, 1989 in Big Spring, Texas to Vickie Scales and Wayne Dial.

Airman Cogbill exemplifies all that is right with our young people of today and is an example of the great accomplishments one can achieve with determination and dedication.

After graduating from Bridge City High School, Katie married her husband, Daniel and on July 29, 2010 their son Barrett was born. That is when the course of Airman Cogbill's life changed and little did she know her destiny defined.

Barrett was diagnosed with Autism and Katie's fight for resources to help her son began. While fighting financial stress and a lack of resources, Katie's strength and hope never wavered. Her love, tenacity and dedication to her family led her to join the United States Air Force in 2014.

In addition to financial stability, Katie receives therapy benefits for Barrett and was shown that the Air Force fulfills its promise to take care of its people. Barrett now exceeds expectations and thrives.

Today, Katie is known as Senior Airman Katie Cogbill, 19th Medical Operations Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base where she works as an Aerospace Medical Services Technician and is responsible for the patients of the Women's Health Clinic.

Katie's Air Force career is impressive and she has received several awards and recognition for her work ethic and dedication to her patients. Her most impressive and recent award was the 2017 Air Force Medical Service Aerospace Medical Technician of the Year for Air Medical Command, coined by 19th, MDG Commander, Col. Dawn Brooks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Airman Cogbill for this prestigious award and thank her for her selfless service to our great nation and the United States Air Force.

Mr. Speaker, millions of American truck drivers helped elect President Trump last November, and I am calling on him to step in and give them a hand.

President Obama left office back in January, but a $2 billion regulation that he wrote in 2015 to require electronic tracking devices be put in every truck in America is still scheduled to go into effect this Monday. Yes, an Obama regulation that shamefully seems to remain on the books is going into effect this Monday under a Republican Congress and White House.

The Department of Transportation can give a 90-day waiver for all truckers from this mandate, giving several waivers for specific industries, including one just this week. Instead of offering fairness and relief, they are picking winners and losers.

Millions of American truckers are pleading 24/7 for relief from this mandate using the hashtag #eldorme, but it has fallen on deaf ears at the Department of Transportation.

Mr. President, you call the shots in this administration. Please issue an executive order today and instruct the Department of Transportation to give all truckers relief from this mandate for 3 months. Don't implement this colossal Obama mandate a week before Christmas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Space Center Houston, the Official Visitor Center of the NASA Johnson Space Center.

Since opening in 1992, Space Center Houston has welcomed nearly twenty million visitors and currently hosts nearly one million visitors annually in its 250,000 square-foot educational complex. The Manned Space Flight Foundation, a private entity separate from NASA, funds Space Center Houston, its educational programs and the preservation of artifacts in its space science museum. Educational emphasis is placed on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in a fun and engaging way

At Space Center Houston you can see the history and future of human spaceflight under one roof and it is the only Smithsonian Affiliate museum in Houston. The Visitor's Center is home to a one-of-a-kind exhibit displaying the world's only shuttle replica (Independence) mounted on an original Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (NASA 905). For the first time, only at Space Center Houston, you can see the spacecraft from the first and last lunar landings under the same roof. Currently, Space Center Houston is partnering with the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to display both the Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 command modules to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of our nation's extraordinary achievement of man's first step on the Moon in 1969.

Through Space Center Houston, the foundation can teach future generations how far we've come with the space program and emphasize how far we have to go to touch the rest of our universe.

Mr. Speaker, as the Congressman who represents Space Center Houston, and as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Space, it is my distinct honor to recognize Space Center Houston on this milestone occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Baytown Sun for its designation as an official Texas State Historical Marker.

The Baytown Sun can trace its roots to the weekly newspaper The Goose Creek Gasser, established by Frank Boyer in 1919, two months before construction began on the Humble Oil & Refining Company's Baytown Refinery. The Gasser was created to serve the rapidly growing tri-cities of Goose Creek, Pelly, and Baytown, which evolved from oil boom towns to a permeant community. In 1924, new ownership the paper's name to the semi-weekly tribune, and again in 1929 to the daily tribune, when it's circulation was around 4,500.

The financial strain of the great depression led the owners of Goose Creek's Tribune, The Pelly Telegram, and Baytown's Tri-Cities News- Herald to merge into a single paper, the Tri-Cities Sun, operating out of the Tribune's building. First published on July 19, 1931, it was renamed The Daily Sun two years later.

Goose Creek, Pelly and Baytown consolidated in 1948, and the paper, renamed The Baytown Sun, became the sole daily newspaper in the old tri-cities area. In 1949, the facility was greatly expanded, including a new press and, for the first time an air conditioned work space. That year, The Sun surpassed a circulation of 8,000 and employed forty individuals. In 1965 the sun moved to its current location. The first papers printed at the new location went out to more than 12,700 subscribers.

Longtime Publishers and editors of the Sun included William Pendergraft, Robert Matherne, Fred Hartman, and Preston Pendergrass. Janie Gray has served as Publisher since 2010.

Since 1919, The Baytown Sun and its predecessors have primarily focused on the area's local news and history, while providing readers with matters of state, national and international importance. Today, The Baytown Sun covers Southeast Harris County, Chambers County, and Southeast Liberty County.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize The Baytown Sun on its designation as a Texas State Historical Marker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.

Our bill allows law-abiding citizens who are qualified to carry concealed firearms in one State to also carry in other States that allow residents to do so.

Constitutional rights do not end at State lines, and this must include an individual's ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights. A recent survey shows that 73 percent of Americans agree and support concealed carry reciprocity.

The current system is simply too confusing and, unfortunately, results in some concealed carry permit holders to unknowingly break the law and suffer arrest while preventing others from carrying across State lines at all.

Our bill corrects this infringement on Americans' Second Amendment rights and allows concealed carry permit holders the ability to travel freely between the States, just like a driver's license.

As a lifelong gun owner and fervent supporter of the Second Amendment, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense bill and empower law-abiding citizens with the ability to exercise their constitutional rights as they travel across State lines.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of World War II veteran Broughton ``Brodie'' Hand who passed away on October 27, 2017 at 97 years of age.

Brodie was born in 1920 to Baptist minister, Rev. and Mrs. L. J. Hand. Brodie, the middle son out of 5 boys and 1 girl, came to Anahuac, TX in 1924. He attended Anahuac High School where he was voted Best All Around his senior year in 1939. After graduation, Brodie enrolled in Marshall College which is now East Texas Baptist University. When World War II began, Brodie felt the call to serve his country and left college to enlist in the United States Army on October 15, 1942. He volunteered for the paratroopers and went to jump training at Ft. Blanding, FL. After jump school he was assigned to the 508th Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division with C Company. He was shipped to Belfast, Ireland for more training and then to Nottingham, England where they were stationed at the foot of Nottingham Castle. Since the company was short on demolition sergeants, Brodie was trained for the job before he was shipped to France. On the night of June 5, 1944, Broughton Hand prepared to go to war.

The mission given to the 82nd Airborne when they landed in France was to seal off

the bridges on the Douve and Merderet Rivers. Problems started early when the planes ran into a fog bank that nearly made them run into each other. After veering from their planned flight pattern to avoid collision, the 82nd Airborne had to jump in an area far from the one they had prepared for. Brodie jumped from about 600 feet up and as soon as his chute opened he was landing in the tops of the trees. He managed to cut his chute loose and met up with other men in his company headed northeast. They came across Douve River where they attempted to blow the bridge, but could not due to increased German activity in the area. Brodie and his men were able to take three German's as prisoners, which would prove to save their lives. On June 9th, Brodie and his squad went back to blow the bridge, but instead ran into a German tank on the way. After running out of ammunition, Brodie's Lieutenant got one of their German prisoners to call out ``we surrender'' in German. Brodie spent the next 11 months as a Prisoner of War. He worked, as a POW, cleaning up bombed cities and working in coal mines. He was finally able to send a pre-typed postcard to his parents informing them that he was a POW over 70 days after his capture. On April 22, 1945, Brodie was at a hospital in Nuremberg, Germany recovering from a leg injury when General Patton's troops swept through the area returning him to American hands. Broughton returned to Anahuac, after the end of the war, and married Lillian, his wife of 66 years. Together they had three children, Phoebe, Myra and Lynn. Throughout his life, he worked as a salesman for different companies. Brodie upheld his civic duty proudly and stayed active in his community and church until his death last month. He was past Commander of the Texas Golden Triangle Chapter of EX-POWs, past Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the order of the Purple Heart, and past Commander of the Freeman Spath Post 104 of the American Legion with continuous membership of over 70 years. He served on the Governor's Prisoner of War Advisory Committee, and was the Chambers County Veterans Service Officer for 13 years.

Broughton Hand lived a full honorable life devoted to his family, country and God. It is a privilege to have been able to represent such a person in my District. I want to extend my thanks to him and his family for their selfless service and will keep them in my prayers.

Mr. Speaker, today is a good day for hardworking Americans. We are considering legislation that let's taxpayers keep more of their paycheck to save, spend, and invest as they see fit.

Our bill--the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act--will overhaul our broken tax code and finally put the American taxpayer first. Because we can all agree that hardworking taxpayers are the losers under the current system. Right now, our tax code rewards lawyers, lobbyists and loopholes--while leaving hardworking families and job creators behind.

The bill we are considering today will change all of that. To me, there is only one special interest group that matters--and that is the American people.

That's why we simplify the tax code and cut taxes for all Americans to ensure hardworking Americans--like the people I represent in Southeast Texas--can keep more of their hard-earned money.

It has been more than 30 years since the last time we overhauled our tax code. And since then it has grown to more than 70,000 pages.

I like to put it this way . . . our current tax code is now longer than the Bible with none of the good news. Over the past 30 years, Washington has piled up all these carveouts and loopholes for special interests--making things far too complicated and far too expensive for hardworking families.

This needs to end--and today the House will take a historic step to fix that and deliver long overdue tax relief to the American people. Here are the details:

First, we get rid of loopholes. Then we use that money to lower taxes. And then, we simplify the code altogether.

Now, instead of seven confusing tax brackets and carveouts, there will be just four--making things so simple that you can file your taxes on a postcard.

Importantly, we also double the standard deduction, increase the child tax credit, eliminate the Death Tax, and preserve the home mortgage interest deduction.

In addition--to help create more good jobs right here in America--we lower the tax rate on job creators from 35 percent down to 20 percent.

Today, many of America's biggest job producers face the highest tax rate in the world--which makes America less competitive and forces jobs overseas.

We fix that in our bill--because we want companies to invest, grow and produce jobs right here in America. We also reduce the tax rate on the income earned by small businesses to no more than 25 percent--the lowest tax rate on small business income since World War II.

Folks, let's not forget. When we reformed the tax system over 30 years ago, it led to an explosion in jobs and economic growth.

With the passage of this bill, we will be on the verge of achieving such greatness again. This is an exciting time--and the American people deserve some good news.

I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly follow our lead and get a bill passed so we can deliver a tax relief bill to the American people before Christmas.

For more details on our bill, please visit www.FairAndSimple.GOP. Thank you--and God bless.

Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday was the International Day of the Bible, and this week we are celebrating the National Bible Week across the United States.

It is very fitting that we take time today on the floor of the People's House to draw our nation's attention to the Bible. In his book

Reading the Bible with the Founding Fathers, Dr. Daniel Dreisbach reminds us of the influential role the Bible served in the lives, thoughts and ideas of our nation's Founding Fathers.

The Bible was the most accessible book to our Founding Fathers and gave them insights on human nature, civic virtue, political authority, and the rights and duties of citizens that informed them as they formulated established the structures of government.

On a more personal level, I believe that the Bible is not simply an inspirational book or a comforting book--although it is that. But, I believe the Bible to be the holy word of God. It tells us the story of God's love for us. It is a story of redemption for those who would put their faith and trust in Christ alone.

John 3:16 tells us that ``God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.''

For me, as a follower of Jesus Christ, this is not only comforting and inspiring but it is True and the Bible is a guide for my life.

Each day--and the older I get--I am reminded of the comforting Truth in Job Chapter 19. Written centuries before the birth, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, we were told of our redeemer. The one who would save us.

For I know that my Redeemer lives,

And He shall stand at last on the earth;

And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,

That in my flesh I shall see God,

Whom I shall see for myself,

And my eyes shall behold, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me!

Job 19:25-27

This promise reminds me of the Lord's love for me--no matter what the circumstances of life.

Maybe it's been a while since you poured over the pages of the Bible. Maybe it's been collecting dust on a shelf. Take it down and read once again the truthful and comforting words of God preserved for us and given to us as a gift.

I thank my colleagues for reserving this time for me to join you in sharing what the Bible means to me and hundreds of millions of others across the world.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, when a disaster like Hurricane Harvey strikes, the most important job we have is to assist those in harm's way.

From the Texas National Guard to the Louisiana Cajun Navy, to countless volunteers and citizens who have volunteered and contributed their time, their money, and their prayers, we saw across southeast Texas, in the immediate aftermath of that storm, nothing less than a model to which the whole Nation and world can aspire.

I have even compared the rescue of so many Texans by boat to the miracle at Dunkirk.

But when the storm passes, it is just as important that we look for lessons, demand accountability, and work to fix whatever went wrong or may have made this situation worse.

I am pleased to offer this amendment today that will begin to address such an issue.

When a hydropower station is licensed and regulated by FERC, it is not just the power plant that falls under Federal control. Decisions about lake levels, flood storage capacity, and other measurements of the body of water that powers that station are set forth in FERC license protocols and guidelines written and administered by folks who work right here in Washington.

As a former official for the Texas Lower Neches Valley River Authority, I know that these are tough decisions to make, and sometimes it is a matter of choosing between bad and worse options of where to put all of that water.

But in my district, serious concerns have been raised by my constituents and local river authorities about whether FERC's licenses for hydropower facilities need to be adjusted to account for the unprecedented flooding that we just experienced and with the ability to make commonsense changes in the face of an impending flood event.

My amendment ensures that nothing will stand in the way of FERC going in and examining the licenses for any facility located in the path of the terrible disasters that we have seen this year. By passing it with strong bipartisan support, we will make clear that that is just what FERC should do.

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton) and introduce someone who is now famous in Texas, Uncle Fred Upton, now that the Astros have won the World Series.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins), my next-door neighbor and cosponsor of this amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember WWII veteran, Leonard ``Lenny'' Swartz of Beaumont, TX who died peacefully in his own bed on October 30, 2017.

Lenny was born on April 17, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1930, the Great Depression forced the Swartz family to move to Atlantic City in hopes of a better living. After High School, Mr. Swartz moved back to Philadelphia until December of 1941. When WWII began for the United States, Lenny felt the call to serve his country and immediately enlisted in the United States Army. After graduating Officer's Candidate School in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina Lenny was next stationed at Camp Polk, in Deridder, Louisiana. While he

was stationed at Camp Polk, Lenny took a trip to Beaumont, TX on leave and met a woman named Marie ``Mongie'' Eisen. In March of 1943, the two entered into a marriage that would last over 74 years. Mongie died just ten weeks ago in August. The couple lived in Deridder until Lenny was sent to Ft. Ord California for training before he boarded a ship headed to fight in the Pacific.

Lenny was a captain in the 536th Amphibious Tank Battalion that played an important role in the Battle of Leyte Gulf that began the invasion of the Philippine Islands. It was while fighting during the invasion of Okinawa that Lenny was wounded badly and received his battlefield recognition. When the war ended, Lenny left the military as a Major and returned with Mongie to Beaumont. After working for his father-in-law in the produce business, Lenny opened his own produce business.

Lenny was very active in the American Legion, Jewish War Veterans and the Masons. He always set an example for his sons and community by working hard every day and being active at his synagogue. After retiring, Lenny worked in his flower gardens around his home and watched his favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys. Mr. Swartz loved his family dearly and truly lived a life worth living.

It is always an honor for me to recognize those American heroes who sacrificed so much defending and preserving our freedom in World War II. This truly was the greatest generation. We thank Mr. Swartz--as well as his entire family--for their bravery and sacrifice to our great nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 125th anniversary of the City of Deer Park, in Harris County, Texas.

After an overwhelming Texian victory at Battle of San Jacinto, General Sam Houston, Interim President David G. Burnet, and members of the Texas Cabinet met in present-day Deer Park and began to draft the initial treaty documents securing Texas' independence from Mexico. Because of this historic event on Deer Park soil, Deer Park holds the distinction of being the true ``Birthplace of Texas.''

Deer Park was founded on December 20, 1892 by Simeon Henry West, a farmer, retired legislator, and pioneer from Illinois. He named the area Deer Park after the large number of deer that roamed the coastal prairie. As settlers from the north arrived to build homes and farms, West built a hotel and post office in 1893. West granted the land for the first railroad through Deer Park for one dollar and later built a wharf on Buffalo Bayou that was later destroyed by The Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900. On October 3, 1902, West donated the right-of-way to the Houston Ship Channel to the United States of America.

In 1928 Shell Oil Company began building a new refinery. In the 1930s an independent school district was established, the population began to grow, and the town began to flourish. Deer Park voted to incorporate as a general law city on December 11, 1948. On December 6, 1960 the residents of Deer Park voted to become a home rule city. By 1960 the city's population was five thousand with a fire station, city hall, parks, independent water supply, and four major industries within the city limits. Today, Deer Park has approximately thirty-three thousand residents, a school district with fifteen campuses, numerous major industrial facilities, and several smaller light industrial companies.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize and celebrate the 125th anniversary of the City of Deer Park. May God continue to bless Deer Park in these next 125 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a great man for his military service, Captain Kellie S. Byerly, USN (Ret). Captain Byerly was born in Danville, Illinois on October 19, 1939. He began his prestigious twenty-seven-year Naval career in Long Beach, California.

Captain Byerly served in numerous managerial positions on the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-32) and as Chief Engineer of the USS Decatur (DDG- 31). Captain Bylery later worked as a Professor of Naval Science at the State University of New York Maritime College. Captain Byerly held commands as: Executive Officer of the guided missile destroyers USS Hoel (DDG-13) and USS Robinson (DDG-12). He later served as Commodore of Task Force Sixty-Three in Naples, Italy. Captain Byerly concluded his Naval career as Senior Inspector for the Propulsion Examination Board in San Diego, California.

Following his retirement from the United States Navy, Captain Byerly worked supervising operations in power plants around the world. He was hired by Stewart and Stevenson, an independent power company based in Houston as Vice President of Operations for the company's western region. He later served with General Electric as Vice President of Central American and Western United States regions. Captain Byerly concluded his career with the Calpine Corporation, as Vice President of Operations for the company's Central Region.

Captain Byerly is married to Deborah L. Byerly who he met in Bremerton, Washington while his ship, the USS Robinson (DDG-12) was undergoing an overhaul. After retiring from the Navy, Captain and Mrs. Byerly became residents of Nassau Bay, Texas in 1991 and have enjoyed being part of the community ever since. Mrs. Byerly has worked for the NASA Johnson Space Center for over twenty years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Captain Kellie Byerly for his many years of selfless service to our great nation in the United States Navy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Commander Seth Anthony Stone, a native Texan, a devout Christian, and a true American hero, who left us far too early on September 30, 2017, at the age of 41 years old.

Twice the recipient of the Silver Star Medal, our Nation's third highest combat award, Seth was among the most highly decorated U.S. Navy SEALS.

As a SEAL platoon commander in Iraq during the Battle of Ramadi in 2006, he served alongside my son, Leif Babin, as they led some of the toughest sustained urban combat operations in the history of the SEAL teams.

Seth was a storied and an exceptional combat leader that helped turn the tide for America in two of the most pivotal battles of the Iraq war.

Seth and his SEAL platoon played an integral role in the victorious efforts of the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division's Ready First Brigade Combat Team that transformed Ramadi from the most violent and dangerous place in Iraq to a stable, secure, and peaceful city.

In more than 6 months of continuous urban combat, a number of his SEALs were wounded and killed in action, including Master-at-Arms Second Class Michael A. Monsoor, when he dove onto a grenade to save three of his SEAL teammates next to him. For his actions, Petty Officer Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Seth returned to Iraq 2 years later and led a SEAL task unit that included American Sniper, Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle, also from Texas.

Seth's outstanding combat record placed him in a very special class that included Petty Officer Michael Monsoor, Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle, Petty Officer Marc Lee, and Petty Officer Ryan Job.

Seth epitomized the warrior ethos, risking his life on many occasions in combat against our Nation's mortal enemies. He saved countless U.S. servicemembers, and he helped bring stability to embattled regions of the world.

About his military service, Seth said:

It was my honor to fight for my country. The best life is

one lived as a sacrifice for others. I love my country, and I

love the teams. That is what drove me to fight so hard for

America while wearing the SEAL Trident. At the same time, I

did not really consider myself to be a SEAL but, rather, a

soldier for the Lord.

In everything he did and throughout his life he served the Lord from a place of deep faith. He was a very special person. I was proud to know him, and I will be forever grateful for his service to our great country and the friendship and camaraderie that he had with my son and all those whom he served with.

While Seth has left us on Earth, his passion for his friends, his country, and his Lord will certainly live on and never be forgotten.