Emerson Statement on Spc. James R. Burnett, Jr.

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today released the following statement on the death of Specialist James R. Burnett, Jr., who died on November 16, 2011, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. Specialist Burnett's father and stepmother live in Brownwood, Missouri.

"I received this sad news with a heavy heart, and my deepest sympathies are with his family," Emerson said. "Specialist Burnett's deep roots in Brownwood and Stoddard County make this a devastating loss for many, many people in our community. Clearly, this young man understood the importance of his service to our nation, and the prayers of all grateful Americans should be with him and his family now."