Donald M. Payne: “I rise to ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring a true American hero, Sergeant…”

“I rise to ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring a true American hero, Sergeant First Class Gladimir Phillipe, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country when he lost his life in Iraq two weeks ago. At a funeral service over the Fourth of July weekend at St. Joseph the Carpenter Church in Roselle, New Jersey, hundreds of friends, family, and members of his community came to pay their last respects to this outstanding young man who strived to achieve the American dream. The son of Haitian immigrants and one of nine children, Sergeant Phillipe wanted to move forward in life and to make a meaningful contribution to his country. His family is hard-working and close-knit; his father is a machine worker for a manufacturing company in New Jersey. Sergeant Phillipe joined the Army in 1988, a few years after graduating from Elizabeth High School. He served admirably in both Bosnia and the Persian Gulf. He also distinguished himself by serving as an interpreter during President Clinton's trip to Haiti in 1998. As we remember the inspirational life of this fine young man, let us offer our thanks for his service to our country. Let us also extend our deepest sympathy to his family--his father, Renisse; his stepmother, brothers and sisters, and his son, Cassidy.”