(Washington, D.C.) – Today, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Chet Edwards honored the brave Fort Hood soldiers and their families who were wounded and killed in the tragic shooting nearly one year ago. Edwards represented Fort Hood for 14 years and serves as co-chair of the House Army Caucus.

Edwards is an original cosponsor of the legislation sponsored by Rep. John Carter (H Con Res 319) that recognizes the anniversary of the Nov. 5, 2009 shootings, commends the first responders on the scene, and extends sympathies to the families and friends of the shooting victims. The resolution was adopted by voice vote.

Edwards said, “Ft. Hood was a scene of unspeakable tragedy nearly a year ago, but I know it as a place of great triumph—a place where service to country isn’t just an ideal, it is a way of life, a place where the American spirit is alive and well.  I hope the world will see the Ft. Hood I saw as its representative in Congress for 14 years through three combat deployments.  When I think of Ft. Hood, I think of soldiers, families and their neighbors in nearby communities who care for each other and are proud to serve and, yes, sacrifice for our nation’s freedom. Ft. Hood is known as “The Great Place”, because that is what it is, past, present and future. The actions of one deranged gunman should not and will not change that fact.

The servicemen and women of Ft. Hood, their families, and the neighboring communities are a very special and unique family.  They make Ft. Hood what it is -- a shining star in our nation’s defense, a star that will burn brightly for many years to come.”

This is expected to be the last week Congress will be in session before the anniversary on November 5^th. The following are Edwards’ remarks as prepared for delivery on the House floor today: 

Remarks by Congressman Chet Edwards

Honoring the brave soldiers and families of Ft. Hood

September 28, 2010

On behalf of citizens all across America, we rise today to express our deepest respect for the soldiers and families of Ft. Hood, Texas as we approach the one year anniversary of the tragic shooting there. I want to reaffirm to the Fort Hood family that they are still in the thoughts and prayers of our nation.

It is a tragedy beyond words that young Americans who were willing to risk their lives for our country in combat abroad ended up losing their lives here at home, in a tragedy that nearly one year ago would have seemed unimaginable.

While the soldiers and civilians killed at Fort Hood last November did not die in combat in a foreign country, they gave their lives defending America, and, for that, we will always consider them heroes.

The spouses, children and families of the fallen may not have worn our nation’s uniform, but they have served our nation through their deep personal sacrifice.  We will never ever forget that sacrifice.

We cannot bring back their loved ones, but I hope they will forever feel the collective love, gratitude and prayers of millions of their fellow Americans.

Mr. Speaker, during this attack last year, Ft. Hood was a scene of unspeakable tragedy, but I know it as a place of great triumph—a place where service to country isn’t just an ideal, it is a way of life, a place where the American spirit is alive and well.

I hope the world will see the Ft. Hood I saw as its representative in Congress for 14 years through three combat deployments.  When I think of Ft. Hood, I think of soldiers, families and their neighbors in nearby communities who care for each other and are proud to serve and, yes, sacrifice for our nation’s freedom.

Ft. Hood is known as “The Great Place”, because that is what it is, past, present and future. The actions of one deranged gunman should not and will not change that fact.

The servicemen and women of Ft. Hood, their families, and the neighboring communities are a very special and unique family.   They make Ft. Hood what it is -- a shining star in our nation’s defense, a star that will burn brightly for many years to come.

While we honor the sacrifice of our veterans and troops on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, I hope Americans will remember every day how blessed we are to live in a land where  our servicemen and women and their families are willing to sacrifice so  much in service to country. Let us all rededicate ourselves to honoring our troops, our veterans and their families. Let us remember them not just on Veterans Day and Memorial Day and on a tragic day, but every day.

Today, we send our prayers to those who were wounded, physically and emotionally, by the unprovoked attack last year at Ft. Hood.  And, we ask that God keep in His loving arms, those who gave that day, in the words of Lincoln, “their last full measure of devotion to country”

Michael Grant Cahill, civilian physician assistant

Major L. Eduardo Caraveo

Staff Sgt. Justin M. DeCrow

Capt. John P. Gaffaney

Specialist Frederick Greene

Spc. Jason Dean Hunt

Sgt. Amy Krueger

Pfc. Aaron Thomas Nemelka

Pfc. Michael Pearson

Captain Russell Seager

Private Francheska Velez

Lt. Col. Juanita Warman

Pfc. Kham Xiong

While these heroes are now in God’s loving arms, we here on earth shall never forget them.

Edwards is the Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee

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