[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8] [House] [Page 10891] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO OUR FALLEN SOLDIERS The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this coming Monday, Americans will gather to do what so many families wish they did not have to do. That is to mourn the dead who have fallen in battle. Certainly there will be many who will come simply to honor them as heroes, but many of the families will have the fresh memories of young men and women who have recently fallen in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I rise to take this opportunity on behalf of the 18th Congressional District, of the people of Houston, Texas, to acknowledge and respect and pay tribute to the soldiers of this Nation that have fallen in battle throughout the centuries. For it is, in fact, true that our freedoms are vested in the willingness of young men and women who take the oath to give the ultimate sacrifice so that our Constitution and our values may be preserved. And I take their oath very seriously and believe it is important that, as Members of the United States Congress and the Commander in Chief, that when we send Americans into battle, it must be based upon thought and prayers and reason. But this coming Monday, we will embrace these families, some who are freshly mourning, others who have long memories. We will commemorate the missing in action, the POWs, all who have suffered at the hands of the violence of others. In Houston, Texas, we commemorate Memorial Day at out Veterans Cemetery. It is in my congressional district. And I have over the years enjoyed the fellowship with the families and the sacred spirit of what occurs. This Memorial Day I will place a memorial wreathe in Europe in honor of those troops who have fallen. My staff will represent me at the memorial commemoration. But they will also be present and my community will be present on Sunday as they place small white crosses to acknowledge the number of soldiers who have now died in Iraq. Memorial Day is a time for the Nation to come together. It is not an accusatory time. It is to recognize everyone's fallen life equally, with appreciation and deep gratitude. And so, Mr. Speaker, I have risen today to assure those families who mourn for the recent loss, those who are mourning of memories past, that America remains a grateful Nation. And on behalf of those of the 18th Congressional District, to the fallen soldiers and those families who mourn, I offer them my deepest and most sincere debt of gratitude and sympathy. Let this Memorial Day be a reminder of the preciousness of life, the soldiers who serve us, but as well the ultimate cost that is paid in war. And let it remind us that, yes, we have valiant heroes, but that we as a Nation should continue to work as hard as we can to achieve peace not only amongst us but around the world. May God bless those who have fallen, God bless their families, and God bless America. ____________________