Kay Granger: “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to rise today to honor a true American hero, who is Chris Kyle, a retired Navy…”

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to rise today to honor a true American hero, who is Chris Kyle, a retired Navy SEAL chief petty officer who was killed in Glen Rose, Texas, on February 2. Chris Kyle heroically defended his country through four tours of duty in Iraq, where he participated in major battles throughout the country. He was the single deadliest sniper in the history of the United States military. Chief Kyle was shot twice in the fighting and was in six separate IED explosions. However, he never received the Purple Heart because he didn't want to be separated from his unit while the paperwork was being processed. Chris Kyle fought for his country and saved the lives of many of his fellow Americans, but his accomplishments extended far beyond the battlefield. After 10 years of service as a SEAL, Chris retired from the Navy to focus on his family. He continued to train military personnel and security staff, and he wrote a book documenting his time in combat, which one of the Members talked about. Rather than keep the proceeds from the sale of the book, he donated the money to the families of two fellow SEAL members who had fallen in battle. On February 2, Chris and his friend Chad Littlefield were tragically killed by a veteran they had sought to help. This act of violence may have taken Mr. Kyle's life, but it doesn't erase the powerful legacy he leaves behind. Mr. Kyle is survived by his wife and two young children.…”