On the recordJanuary 24, 2023
Today, I come before the House of Representatives to honor the legacy of Captain Johnathan Benton. Captain Benton tragically lost his life on January 16, 2023, in a small plane crash. Johnathan was a man of service. He served our country faithfully for over 25 years in the Air Force. During that time, he was a command pilot with over 4,000 hours in the C-130 and KC-135. He was also an instructor and evaluator pilot. He spent over 750 days deployed in support of conflicts in Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He eventually retired as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force's Air National Guard for the State of Oklahoma. After his time in the military, Johnathan served as the Government Affairs Committee chairman for CAPA as well as the Allied Pilots Association. Johnathan never stopped serving our country. Through his role as chairman for CAPA and APA, he continued to advocate on behalf of Americans. To his wife, Bridget, and two children, Nathan and Ashlynn Marie, I am truly sorry. Your husband and father was a great man. He had a great big heart and loved you all dearly. What he gave our country cannot be summed up in a 1-minute speech, but the legacy he leaves and the good works he has done will last forever. ____________________
