HONORING THE MEMORY OF PAT TILLMAN

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Pat Tillman, a San Jose native who was killed in action last week in Afghanistan.

At a time when many of us in this country talk about sacrifice, about devotion, about courage, we can look to Pat Tillman as a man who lived those ideals. The consummate student athlete, Pat excelled in the classroom and on the gridiron at Leland High School in San Jose. He graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University while earning the honor of Pac-10 defensive Player of the Year of 1997. He was a loyal friend, a dutiful son, and a devoted brother.

By now, many of my colleagues have heard about Pat´s selfless decision to join the Army Rangers, a decision that required him to turn his back on a multi-million dollar contract offer to continue playing professional football for the Arizona Cardinals.

Pat wanted to serve his country. He wanted to be a direct part of our national response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

In a society that reveres athletes as heroes, that hypes sporting events as mythic battles between warring foes, Pat Tillman wanted to serve his country as a soldier.
His enlistment in May of 2002 drew media attention, but Pat very deliberately avoided the publicity that followed his decision. For him, joining the Rangers was a matter of duty and honor, not an opportunity to generate fanfare for himself.

Instead of seeking special recognition for his own actions, Pat shifted attention to the men and women serving in the armed forces. Alongside his brother Kevin, Pat served in Afghanistan where Coalition forces continue to search for Osama bin Laden.

short life will serve as a model to all Americans. For the people of San Jose, he is a native son lost in the field of battle. For Americans across the country, he represents the ideals of duty, honor, and courage.