Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize five servicemembers who died last Saturday in Afghanistan. First Lieutenant Brandon Landrum; Staff Sergeant Francis Phillips; Specialist Kevin Cardoza; Specialist Brandon Prescott; and Specialist Thomas Murach were killed by an IED while on patrol in Kandahar province. All five had been awarded both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, and all five were stationed at Fort Bliss in the district I represent. Since 2011, Fort Bliss has lost 83 soldiers in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. This incredible loss of life has deeply impacted the families, friends, and fellow soldiers of the fallen, as well as the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities. Each casualty reminds us of the ongoing human toll of the Afghanistan war, now going into its 12th year, and increasingly out of sight for many Americans. The terrible loss of these five soldiers reminds us of our solemn responsibility to our servicemembers, not only to be cautious when sending them into harm's way, but also knowing when it is time to bring them home. ____________________”