Tom Feeney: “I thank my friends from Pennsylvania and Illinois who did a great job describing the sacrifice that Mr. Mastrapa gave to…”

“I thank my friends from Pennsylvania and Illinois who did a great job describing the sacrifice that Mr. Mastrapa gave to his country on behalf of the citizens of Iraq and, actually, freedom throughout the world. Mr. Speaker, today we honor a man who honored us and dedicated his life to serving others. I thought I would take a few minutes to share some of the hometown effects of the loss of Sergeant Mastrapa. Arthur Stacey Mastrapa put country and others above self. He possessed a unique calling for both service and optimism that left a mark on the lives of all he met. His sister-in-law, Tracy Mastrapa, described this calling: "He dedicated his life to public service, first in active duty as a military police officer, then as a postal worker, and finally as a Reserve MP. He was called to serve his country, which he did proudly with the utmost integrity." His calling led him to join the Army in 1992 and then as he left the Army, to reenlist in the Army Reserves after his active duty years ended. His career outside the Reserve was also in service of his fellow citizens, this time in central Florida.”