Political Quotes

“Today I rise in honor of the life and legacy of Patrick Daniel Tillman, Jr., of Arizona. April 22, 2024, marked the 20th anniversary of Pat's tragic and untimely death at only 27 years old. As a scholar and a football star, Pat led Leland High School to the division championship and earned a football scholarship to Arizona State. His time at ASU was spent studying business and marketing and in athletic achievement as the Sun Devils' starting linebacker. In 1998, he was drafted to the NFL by the Arizona Cardinals. Again, he was a star, breaking the Cardinals' tackle record with 224 tackles in 2000 as a linebacker. After the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, Pat and his younger brother, Kevin, answered the call to service and enlisted in the United States Army. He was first deployed to Iraq with his brother in 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom but returned to Fort Benning, Georgia, to complete Ranger School. In 2004, Pat embarked on a second deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On April 22, 2004, in Spera, Afghanistan, Pat was tragically killed by friendly fire. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for making the ultimate sacrifice. Let us never forget his patriotism, leadership, and call to service. May we all be so eager to answer that call in our own lives for this wonderful country. My prayers are with the Tillman family and our Nation's Gold Star families and all United States servicemembers overseas.…”