congressional_record: CREC-2006-12-08-pt1-PgE2135
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| CREC-2006-12-08-pt1-PgE2135 | 2006-12-08 | 109 | 2 | IN HONOR AND IN MEMORY OF ARMY SPECIALIST CHRIS MASON OF MOBILE, AL | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | ALLOTHER | E2135 | E2135 | [{"name": "Jo Bonner", "role": "speaking"}] | 152 Cong. Rec. E2135 | Congressional Record, Volume 152 Issue 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006) [Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E2135] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] IN HONOR AND IN MEMORY OF ARMY SPECIALIST CHRIS MASON OF MOBILE, AL ______ HON. JO BONNER of alabama in the house of representatives Wednesday, December 6, 2006 Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a young man from the First Congressional District of Alabama who recently made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country while helping to spread freedom abroad. Army SPC Chris Mason, a longtime Mobilian, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, of the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, NC. Chris joined the Army 2 years ago and comes from a family with a long and highly respected history of military service--his father, who served two tours of duty with the Marine Corps in Vietnam and completed a career in the Army, retiring with the rank of first sergeant, and his brother, an Army officer currently studying to become a chaplain. During his career in the Army, Specialist Mason set a standard of excellence and displayed the qualities of discipline, devotion, and dedication to country that are the hallmarks of men and women throughout the long and distinguished history of the American military. Following his 1994 graduation from Baker High School in Mobile, Chris became a professional rodeo clown with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys' Association. He also taught a commercial drivers license qualification course at Bishop State Community College. No matter what the task, Chris Mason undertook every challenge with a determination to succeed. Mr. Speaker, at this difficult time, it is only appropriate for us to pause and give thanks to God that there are still young men like Chris Mason. Chris's life and actions personify the very best America has to offer. I feel certain his many friends and family, as well as his comrades in the United States Army, while mourning the loss of this fine young man, are also taking this opportunity to remember his many accomplishments and to recall the fine gift they each received simply from knowing him and having him as an integral part of their lives. He was not only a physical presence in their lives but a spiritual leader in every sense of the word. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to take a moment and pay tribute to SPC Chris Mason and his selfless devotion to not only our country and the freedom we enjoy, but to a people who are in the demanding but important stages of a new life--a new freedom--in their own land. Mr. Speaker, we should also remember his parents, Garland and Susie Mason, his brother, Garland Mason III, and his other relatives and many friends. Our prayer is that God will give them all the strength and courage that only He can provide to sustain them during the difficult days ahead. It was Joseph Campbell who said, ``A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.'' Make no mistake, Chris Mason was not only a dedicated soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice serving in the uniform of his country, but he was also a true American hero. May he rest in peace. ____________________ |