Maxwell Frost: “last Thursday a terrible and cowardly act of terrorism was made against America and our armed forces. The U.S.S. Cole…”

“last Thursday a terrible and cowardly act of terrorism was made against America and our armed forces. The U.S.S. Cole, which had entered the Yemeni port of Aden, was blindsided by a small boat in a group helping to moor the ship for refueling. The boat was loaded with explosives and blew up alongside the U.S.S. Cole. Mr. Speaker, 17 sailors were either killed or are missing from the blast, and 39 were injured. Information Systems Technician Seaman Timothy Gauna, a constituent of mine from Rice, Texas, is among the missing. Like all the sailors aboard the U.S.S. Cole, he was serving his country bravely and honorably when this vicious attack took place. I join the Gauna family, and all the families of the missing sailors, in hoping that they will soon be accounted for. Immediately after the attack Mr. Speaker, I flew down to North Texas to visit Seaman Gauna's family. There, I spoke with a mother who is proud of her son's courage and patriotism. And I talked to various family members who admire Tim's dedication to America. I do not know all the sailors on the U.S.S. Cole, Mr. Speaker, but I know the family of Seaman Gauna. They--like all of the U.S.S. Cole's sailors and their families--have America's gratitude, and our prayers. That's why I was so moved by the memorial service today in Norfolk, Virginia.…”