[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 16482] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE LIFE OF MIDSHIPMAN JEFFREY WARREN MASCUNANA ______ HON. JACK KINGSTON of georgia in the house of representatives Thursday, September 23, 2010 Mr. KINGSTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Jeffrey Warren Mascunana, a hero and dedicated servant to his Lord and our nation. Jeff was born at the Tuttle Army Health Clinic on Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia on December 8, 1969, to Chief Warrant Officer George Mascunana and his wife Rose. Jeff descended from Cuban immigrants and his great-grandfather help found one of the oldest Spanish-English newspapers in the United States, ``La Gaceta,'' in Tampa, Florida. His father, George, served two tours of duty in Korea. Jeff attended St. James Catholic School, then Benedictine Military School in Savannah. His family actively served as members of St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church. At Benedictine, Jeff participated in many sports, including football, basketball and track & field where he excelled in many events. Jeff was not a starter on the football team, but was often heard to say ``At least I'm on the field and not in the stands,'' indicative of his desire to not be an observer in life. All of his friends and classmates remember his wide smile and devious sense of humor. At Benedictine Jeff also served four years in the school's Reserve Officer Training Corps program, attaining the rank of Cadet Captain. He graduated in 1988. Upon graduation, Jeff harbored a desire to serve his country in the United States Navy. Through perseverance, he obtained entrance to the Boost program, and an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, class of 1993. At Annapolis, in the 23rd Company, Jeff found his home. He trained to be a Surface Warfare Officer, working towards his degree in Political Science. He competed on the rowing team, as well as track & field. His classmates remember him as the friend who would help them all through the tough times inherent in such a rigorous setting. On weekends, he seemed to be on yard restriction as often as not. Undaunted, Jeff would organize groups to visit those midshipmen and active duty personnel whose duties required that they remain on post, offering light-hearted moments and friendship to his fellow classmates. He also worked with a local church, helping to organize a support group for women victimized by abuse. Indicative of Jeff's love for Annapolis, he wanted to carry a piece of it with him at all times. When the time came to design his USNA class ring, Jeff broke with the tradition of choosing a precious stone for the design. Instead, he found a loose piece of marble in the dormitory, Bancroft Hall, and had part of that stone fitted to his ring. The remaining piece of marble hangs around his mother's neck in a beautiful pendant. Jeff's ring now occupies a place of honor in the Ring Bank in the United States Naval Academy Museum, the repository for the class ring of each class' first deceased member. In the early morning hours of May 26, 1993, just a few hours prior to graduation, Midshipman Jeff Mascunana lost his life while trying to summon help for Ms. Julie Ann Mace. Ms. Mace, his date for the evening's graduation ball, was injured and tragically died as the result of an automobile crash. Jeff died a hero, unselfishly trying to help another. At Jeff's Naval Academy graduation later that day, his chair sat empty, his class one sailor short. His family, proudly assembled to see Jeff's greatest achievement, instead joined his class to mourn the loss of their son, grandson, brother and friend. His friends and family buried Jeff in his Navy dress whites a few days later in Savannah. While Jeff completed his academic requirements to obtain his degree from the Naval Academy, unfortunately he never received his commission as an ensign even though he was mere hours away from realizing that lifelong goal. While a posthumous commission would be fitting, the Navy could find no provision for doing so. Later this fall, Jeff Mascunana's classmates from the Benedictine Military School class of 1988 shall gather to dedicate a memorial in his honor. Further, a scholarship fund will be established in his name. The scholarship shall be awarded to a young Benedictine Cadet, enabling him to attend the Benedictine Military School that helped make Jeff Mascunana the hero that he was. Jeff learned the values that made him such a great man from his parents and from his education. I would like to recognize Benedictine Military School, an institution that has molded leaders since its founding in 1902 in Savannah, Georgia. For over 100 years, the priests, faculty and military personnel have educated young men in the Judeo- Christian tradition of academic excellence, good moral living, respect for authority, and love of country. On these principles, Benedictine builds men of virtue and integrity, ready to serve their faith, their community, and their country. ____________________