Carol D. Miller

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Lee) be removed from H.R. 10193.

Mr. Speaker, I was still on committee-- detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 42.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 923, which honors the service and the sacrifice of two of our West Virginia National Guard members: United States Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe.

These two courageous National Guardsmen were tragically shot in Washington, D.C., in a targeted assault against United States servicemembers on November 26 of this year.

Specialist Beckstrom was just 20 years old. She succumbed to her injuries on Thanksgiving Day. Sarah was a recent graduate of Webster High School. Her friends remember her as a true peacekeeper. She dreamed of becoming an FBI agent and held a deep and unwavering love for her country.

Her loss is deeply felt across West Virginia and by a grateful Nation that she served with honor. I urge my colleagues to join me in praying for her friends and her family as they continue to grieve from this tragic loss.

Staff Sergeant Wolfe is 24 years old and from Martinsburg, West Virginia. He graduated from Musselman High School and enlisted in the National Guard while he was still a student in high school. He was assigned to the Force Support Squadron, the 167th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia National Guard.

Just yesterday, Staff Sergeant Wolfe was discharged from the hospital and is now recovering at an inpatient rehabilitation facility. By the grace of God and through his steadfast grit, he has made steady improvements since last month's attack. He was recently able to sit in a chair and enjoy time with friends and family visiting him.

His mother credits his miraculous improvement to the healing hand of God. I urge my colleagues to continue to pray for Staff Sergeant Wolfe's recovery, for the medical teams assisting him, and for his friends and family as they support him through this journey of healing.

Our servicemembers represent the very best in the United States. I am honored to join my fellow West Virginia Representative, Congressman Riley Moore, in introducing this resolution, recognizing these two incredible individuals and memorializing their selfless service to our country.