Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 31st Annual Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Veterans Golden Age Games (NVGAG) that will be held in Biloxi, Mississippi, May 7-11, 2017. The National Veterans Golden Age Games give veterans with and without disabilities an equal opportunity to demonstrate their competitive spirit through multi-event sports. The National Veterans Golden Age Games are open to veterans 55 years of age and older who are enrolled to receive healthcare through the VA. Competition events include air rifle, bowling, cycling, swimming, golf, and table tennis.

The National Veterans Golden Age Games was established in 1983 to inspire older veterans to remain physically active, regardless of age or ability. Thousands of competitors have achieved personal goals through rehabilitation and competition. It is inspiring to see so many veterans improve their quality of life through the National Veterans Golden Age Games.

As a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard for 31 years, I know the important role physical fitness plays in the lives of our veterans. This program is a continued success as displayed by the many veterans who look to the National Veterans Golden Age Games for fulfillment on multiple levels.

I am proud of all the veterans who are representing the First Congressional District of Mississippi this year and wish them the best of luck.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army Corporal (CPL) Kevin William Prince, who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 23, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. CPL Prince was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his humvee while on patrol in Iskandariyah, Iraq.

CPL Prince, an Ohio native, was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California, which was attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) from Mississippi. He enlisted in the Army in 2001 with plans to go to college after he returned from Iraq. CPL Prince was trained to operate a Bradley Fighting Vehicle prior to his deployment to Iraq on January 9, 2005. Before he left, CPL Prince told his family he had bought a Bible to take with him.

Before joining the Army, CPL Prince loved playing soccer, something he enjoyed from a young age. He worked part-time at his parent's bagel shop. His brother, Jason Prince, said Kevin was someone who really enjoyed life and loved his family.

``He was only 22. He still had a lot more life left,'' Prince shared with Associated Press. ``I want people to know he's not just a number. There's a face behind that number.''

CPL Prince is survived by his parents, Ron and Susan Price, brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Ember Prince; his maternal grandparents, William and Evelyn Martin; his paternal grandmother, Ruth Miller; aunts and uncles, Carole and Rich Frazee and Jayne and Lon Slabaugh, Rick and Susan Prince, Steve and Judy Miller, Cathy and Dennis McDonnell, Mike and Helen Miller; and cousins, Patrick, Angie, Lori, Shanese, Nicole and Morgan Slaubaugh.

His dedication to protecting our nation will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of fallen soldier Army Captain (CPT) Ralph John Harting III, who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 29, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. CPT Harting was killed when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device was detonated by a suicide bomber as he was conducting a traffic-control-point inspection in Diyarah, Iraq. Also killed was Captain Stephen W. Frank.

CPT Harting and CPT Stephen W. Frank were among an estimated 50 people who died that day in bombings carried out by insurgents trying to disrupt the newly formed Iraqi government. CPT Harting was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California, which was attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) from Mississippi.

CPT Harting was born in Pontiac, Michigan and raised in Union Lake. Jay, as he was known to family and friends, applied to all four service academies and was accepted at each one. He enrolled at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York. CPT Harting graduated with a mechanical engineering degree in 1998. CPT Harting and CPT Frank were classmates in college as well as Michigan natives.

At the time of his death, CPT Harting was survived by his wife, Jennifer, a 2-year-old daughter, a 1-year-old son, and an infant son who was born shortly after his death.

When the Frank family learned of the death of their son and CPT Harting, they invited the Harting family over to share stories.

``We talked about how we wished it was us to go first,'' Sue Frank told the Detroit Free Press. ``We were glad that the boys were not alone when they died. It was a comforting conversation, and we had an immediate bonding over the most tragic thing that could happen in your life. It's good to know that the Hartings are only two miles away.''

CPT Harting and CPT Frank are both buried at the West Point Cemetery which is on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.

CPT Harting and CPT Frank will always be remembered for their devotion to our nation and for paying the ultimate sacrifice to protect America.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Marine Corps Master Sergeant (MSgt) Scott Eugene Pruitt who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 28, 2012, during Operation Enduring Freedom. MSgt Pruitt was killed in action by enemy fire when his vehicle was struck

by a roadside improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Nimroz Province, Afghanistan. This was his first deployment.

MSgt Pruitt, a Gautier native, was assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. MSgt Pruitt was a financial management Marine for 18 years and also an instructor with the Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools. He volunteered to go on deployment with his junior Marines.

MSgt Pruitt was honored for his sacrifice by family, friends, and fellow service members during a memorial service held at the base auditorium at Camp Johnson, a satellite installation of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune on May 31, 2012.

``He not only wanted to deploy as a Marine,'' said Lydia Hobson, MSgt Pruitt's mother, ``but as a human being. He wanted to help the people and children over there. When he got to Afghanistan, he asked me to send him crayons and coloring books for the children in the hospital because they didn't have the things American children had. He was a great man.''

``Pruitt never stopped surprising me,'' retired Master Sergeant Ron Scott, one of Pruitt's mentors said. ``I had a special bond with him. He grew from this young, wide-eyed kid to someone I called a brother.''

MSgt Pruitt was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice. He was also recognized by the Marine Corps Combat Service Support School ``Wall of Heroes'' where his memorial frame was placed.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation has designated a section of U.S. Highway 90 in Gautier as the Scott E. Pruitt Memorial Highway.

MSgt Pruitt is survived by his daughters Jennifer and Jordyn, and his fiancee, Trisha Lane.

MSgt Pruitt's dedication to protecting our nation will always be remembered.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of fallen soldier Army Captain (CPT) Stephen W. Frank who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 29, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. CPT Frank was killed when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated as he was conducting a traffic- control-

point inspection in Diyarah, Iraq. Also killed was Captain Ralph J. Harting, III. They were among an estimated 50 people to die that day in bombings carried out by insurgents trying to disrupt Iraq's newly formed government.

CPT Frank was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California, which was attached to the 155th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) from Mississippi. CPT Frank was born in Lyndhurst, Ohio and then raised in Lansing, Michigan. He graduated from Haslett High School. CPT Frank earned a geography degree from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY. CPT Frank and CPT Harting, a Michigan native, were college classmates.

Shortly after learning of their son's death, CPT Frank's parents, Bill and Sue Frank, invited the Hartings to their home to trade stories and photos of their sons.

``We talked about how we wished it was us to go first,'' Sue Frank told the Detroit Free Press. ``We were glad that the boys were not alone when they died. It was a comforting conversation, and we had an immediate bonding over the most tragic thing that could happen in your life. It's good to know that the Hartings are only two miles away.''

A memorial service was held at Fort Irwin, California, where both men were based. CPT Frank and CPT Harting were buried in a May 14 ceremony at West Point.

CPT Frank's survivors included his wife, Laurel, a 2-year-old son, and his parents, Bill and Sue Frank.

The sacrifice of these brave soldiers will always be remembered.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of fallen Mississippi soldier Army Sergeant (SGT) Anthony O'Neal Magee who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 27, 2010, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. SGT Magee died at Landstul Regional Medical Center, Germany of wounds sustained at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iskandariyah. SGT Magee was wounded when enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire.

SGT Magee, a Hattiesburg native, was assigned to the Company A, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia.

SGT Magee graduated from Hattiesburg High School in 2000. His ninth grade algebra teacher, Leisha Weathersby, shared with the Associated Press that he was a sincere, hard-working young man. ``It was an honor to teach him, and I wish I had 101 students like him.''

SGT Magee was married to Courtney Magee for two months prior to his death. ``He was a great man with a big heart,'' Courtney said to the Associated Press. ``Whoever needed help, he was there to help them. He

touched a lot of people's lives because he had such a big heart.''

SGT Magee's uncle, Dennis Davis, said he was one of the nicest young men with whom you would ever want to come in contact.

At SGT Magee's memorial service at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kalsu's chapel, soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, gathered to remember their fallen comrade. Colonel Robert Ashe, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, said tireless efforts were taken to save his life by other soldiers and later at the FOB Kalsu aid station. COL Ashe said his family members were able to say goodbye to SGT Magee because of this concerted effort to save his life.

Our nation is blessed to have soldiers like SGT Magee who bravely fought to protect America.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) Jeffrey Francis Dayton who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April, 29, 2004, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG Dayton was one of eight soldiers killed by a car bomb as his unit was doing a dismounted improvised explosive device sweep in Baghdad, Iraq.

SSG Dayton was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany. SSG Dayton entered the Army in February 1998. His family says SSG Dayton was always drawn to ``all things Army.'' He was the sixth child of Jim and Shelia Dayton. His nickname was ``Six.'' He had another nickname in the Army. Everyone in his unit called him ``Sunshine'' because of his friendly disposition and upbeat personality.

SSG Dayton's brother, John Dayton, was serving with the Air Force in the Middle East at the time of his brother's death. John immediately requested to leave his post to escort his little brother's body home. He did not want his brother to make the long journey home alone. As John made his way with Jeffrey's body through airports in Frankfurt, Germany, Atlanta, and Memphis, he was amazed at the outpouring of respect he received. He shared his story with Kevin Wood, author of an article on 40 Days of Honor, a blog initiated by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

``During the mission to escort my brother's body back home, the most difficult of any mission ever assigned to me, several people approached me in airports and thanked me for my service,'' John said. ``I politely thanked them, but inside I felt hollow, and guilty. It just didn't seem right that my little brother died protecting others and they were thanking me.''

When SSG Dayton's body arrived in Columbus, MS, the Columbus Police Department cleared the roads and posted an officer at each intersection. Each police officer saluted SSG Dayton.

SSG Dayton is buried in Corinth, MS, in the closest military cemetery to his Caledonia home. Today, a monument stands in his honor as well in honor of SSGT Brian Freeman, who also gave his life to protect our freedoms.

SSG Dayton is survived by his parents, James and Shelia Dayton, his wife Helen, and siblings; John and Jim Dayton, Joe Galbraith, Jay and Jeremy Dayton, and his sister, Joanna Gilford.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army Specialist (SPC) William Anthony Blount who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 7, 2010, in Mosul, Iraq when his vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device. He was 21 years old and was serving with the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Stewart, GA. His commanding officer, 1LT Robert Wilson Collins was also killed in the attack.

SPC Blount joined the military in 2009 after graduating from Petal High School in Petal, Mississippi. Following his death, the SPC William Anthony Blount Memorial Scholarship was established at Petal High School.

Nate McRae, SPC Blount's brother-in-law said his brother was extremely honorable. All of his commanding officers said he was an amazing soldier and that his loss was keenly felt.

The procession of SPC Blount's body from the Pine Belt Regional Airport to Moore Funeral Home, led by Mississippi Highway Patrol officers and Petal officials, travelled from Interstate 59 to Evelyn Gandy Parkway to Petal High School along Mississippi Highway 42. With flags and posters in hand, residents lined the streets, and students were released from school to view the procession.

SPC Blount is survived by his wife Amanda and his daughter Avery Elizabeth Blount. He is also survived by parents, Billy and Kay Blount, and his siblings, Laken Blount and Lori McRae.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army Specialist (SPC) Larry Kenyatta Brown who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation April 6, 2006, during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. SPC Brown was mortally wounded during a combat mission to liberate the Iraqi city of Karbala. SPC Brown was assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 414 Infantry Regiment, Fort Riley, Kansas.

SPC Brown, a Jackson native, attended Bailey Magnet High School where he was a track and basketball athlete. His high school principal, Dorothy Terry, said SPC Brown was a serious young man who was kind. Terry said SPC Brown also had a great sense of humor.

During the funeral held at Blacks Chapel Baptist Church, Brigadier General Frank Helmick described SPC Brown's devotion to our nation.

``Larry Brown displayed the intensive fortitude to fight and complete the mission even though it meant giving his life for our country.''

Hundreds of people came to the funeral including twenty-nine soldiers from Fort Riley. Ten soldiers from Fort Polk, Louisiana carried Brown's coffin.

SPC Brown's bravery and courage in service to our nation will always be remembered.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of fallen soldier Army Corporal (CPL) Tyler Joe Dickens who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 12, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. CPL Dickens died from injuries he sustained when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his guard tower in Al Mahmudiyah, Iraq. CPL Dickens was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California.

CPL Dickens entered active service in June 2002. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Joseph Dickens, who also served in the Army. CPL Dickens served as a sniper team leader at the time of his death.

During CPL Dickens's memorial service, a letter from a superior, Captain Gary Mills, was read aloud. Mills described how proud Dickens was of his family and that he enjoyed sharing stories with his unit and pictures of his wife, Elisha, and newborn son, Austin.

``The platoon was proud when [his] son was born,'' Mills wrote. ``We would like to thank his entire family. None of us will ever forget Tyler J. Dickens.''

CPL Dickens was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

CPL Dickens's sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of fallen Mississippi Navy Seaman (SN) Katrina Renee Grady who died of an intracerebral hemorrhage on April 18, 2002, during Operation Enduring Freedom. She had been onboard the USS Port Royal when she became ill. She passed away at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, MD.

SN Grady was the youngest of six children raised by her mother, Mary Grady, in Greenville, Mississippi. She graduated from T.L. West High School in 1992. Following graduation from Mississippi Valley State University in 1998, SN Grady enlisted in the U.S. Navy. It was her desire to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather who served in the military and her brother, Charles Grady, who joined the Mississippi National Guard.

SN Grady's mother says Katrina was a smart girl who wanted more out of life and military service was the way to accomplish that goal.

``She wanted to serve her country most of all,'' Mary said. ``She loved her work aboard ship. She was excellent.''

Hundreds of people came to the funeral which was held at the St. Mathews Methodist Church in Greenville, including her fellow service members, school teachers, and classmates.

SN Grady's dedication to military service and to the protection of our nation will always be remembered.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army Sergeant (SGT) Henry Levon Brown who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 8, 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. SGT Brown was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Stewart, Georgia. He was serving as a Colonel's driver at the time of his death. He was mortally wounded in an enemy rocket attack in Baghdad.

SGT Brown was born September 30, 1980, in Natchez, Mississippi. He joined the military after graduating from Natchez High School in 1999. SGT Brown held the rank of Corporal with the Army's HHC 2nd Brigade Command Group when he lost his life.

``He was very proud of what he did,'' said Staff Sergeant James Dayton, who was Brown's Army supervisor for a year and a half and escorted his body to Mississippi. ``He was very sharp. He always stayed ahead of me.''

``There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for me, and I know there wasn't anything he wouldn't have done for everyone in this room,'' said his wife, Army Specialist JoDona Brown.

SGT Brown was honored by Natchez Mayor F.L. Hank Smith, members of his high school class, and Adams County supervisors. More than 1,500 people attended the spirited celebration of the soldier's life. Those at the funeral remembered Brown as a quiet, religious young man. Before joining the service, SGT Brown was a Sunday School teacher, secretary, and junior choir member at Greater New Bethel Baptist Church.

SGT Brown is survived by his wife, SPC JoDona Brown, and his mother, Rhonda James-Brown and father, Elm Carter Brown.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of fallen Army Specialist (SPC) Casey Michael LaWare who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 9, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. SPC LaWare was severely burned in a guard tower fire in Al Mahmudiyah, Iraq and passed away at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

SPC LaWare was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California. LaWare enlisted in the Army prior to graduating from Enterprise High School in 2004. He was trained as a sharpshooter and deployed to the Mosul region in northern Iraq as part of the buildup of U.S. forces for the Iraqi election.

SPC LaWare's mother, Kathy Grace, said her son was proud to serve America and the Army is what he really wanted to do with his life. In a Los Angeles Times news article, family members said SPC LaWare wanted to serve our nation.

``He wanted to be in the Army. He wanted to serve his country,'' said cousin, Kendall Grace, of Redding, California.

``The hands-on activities from the Army appealed to him,'' his uncle, Dick Grace, said. ``He was challenging himself.''

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement when he heard about SPC LaWare's death.

``Serving in the armed forces is a noble calling with grave risks. SPC LaWare bravely assumed those risks and we honor his courage and commitment to our country.''

SPC LaWare honored his family in great service to our nation. His sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Marine Staff Sergeant (SSG) Jason Aaron Rogers who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our great nation on April 7, 2011. SSG Rogers was killed in Northern Helmand Province, Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was clearing a path for wounded marines in a live mine field during combat operations. He was assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

SSG Rogers was born on April 9, 1982, in Jackson, MS. He graduated from Brandon High School in 2000. Shortly after September 11, 2001, SSG Rogers joined the Marine Corps, where he served eight years. He was deployed on six overseas assignments, five of which were combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was 28 years old at the time of his death.

SSG Rogers' mother, Jenny Smith, recently said, ``I'm extremely proud. He was proud to serve our country. He had a calling to offer his life for friends and family. He loved America. Every year, we hold the Annual Running for Jason 5K Run/Walk in Brandon to honor his service.''

Mayor Tim Coulter of Brandon, Mississippi said, ``We are saddened by the death of one of our hometown heroes, Jason Rogers, a brave man of character. He will be missed by our city and our hearts and prayers are with his family at this time.''

Brandon Winfield, a childhood friend of SSG Rogers said, ``The loss of Jason Rogers is going to make this world an emptier and lonelier and colder place. I could write a War and Peace sized story of the kind of person he was. Some people have it; the room just seemed to be dizzier and brighter with him in it.''

SSG Rogers is survived by wife Angela Rita Marie Rogers. He is also survived by his parents, Jennifer and William Smith, and Liz and Tracy Aaron Rogers.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) Jerry Clark ``Chip'' Burge, Junior who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 4, 2007, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG Burge was mortally wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. SSG Burge and Corporal Joseph H. Cantrell IV, of Ashland, Kentucky, were both killed by the blast.

Prior to his death, SSG Burge received a Purple Heart for being wounded during a previous deployment in Kosovo. It was during that tour that SSG Burge, a demolitions expert and engineer, was investigating a bomb in a house when it exploded. He suffered damage to his eyesight and hearing. He also received a concussion. At the time of his death, SSG Burge was serving his second tour of duty.

SSG Burge, a Picayune native, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, Fort Hood, Texas. SSG Burge's aunt, Bobbi Kenney, told a local newspaper that her nephew was a soldier who knew the risks associated with his job, but was willing to take the risks in order to serve his country.

Picayune American history teacher Allison Wheat remembers the day of SSG Burge's funeral procession. The whole student body of Picayune High School and members of the community attended in order to pay their respects. In memory of SSG Burge, Wheat's students began hosting a luncheon on Veterans Day to honor veterans and their families. SSG Burge's family attends the luncheon every year. What began with ten veterans has grown to more than 100 in attendance.

SSG Burge will always be remembered as a tough soldier and leader, and at the same time, a great father of three. His devotion to protecting our freedoms will not be forgotten.