SPEECH OF HON. SAM FARR OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2006

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an American hero, Army SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr. Staff Sergeant Vance was tragically killed in action while serving in Afghanistan in 2002. Though I never had the honor of meeting Staff Sergeant Vance, I am saddened by his loss and want to share my own condolences and those of this House with his family, friends, and comrades. Staff Sergeant Vance, Jr. was born on 30 November, 1963, in Frankfurt, Germany, the son of an Army Special Forces officer. He enlisted in the Army in 1981, after graduating from Oceana High School in Oceana, West Virginia. He served in a variety of posts from Germany to Monterey, finally leaving active duty in 1990. In 1992, he enlisted in the West Virginia National Guard, and graduated from the Defense Language Institute's (DLI) Persian-Farsi Basic Course in 1998. He reentered active duty immediately following September 11th, 2001, and he deployed to eastern Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in February 2002.

On 18 May, 2002, Staff Sergeant Vance's patrol was ambushed by Taliban fighters in the province of Paktika, Afghanistan. Although critically wounded in the initial attack, Staff Sergeant Vance continued to translate battlefield intelligence for Afghan forces in the area, directing them out of danger. His calm actions and command of the situation saved the lives of two fellow Americans and as many as 18 Afghani soldiers, and helped to defeat the enemy ambush. For his actions, Staff Sergeant Vance was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with a "V"' for valor in combat, the Purple Heart Medal, and the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal. His actions in combat represented the highest level of bravery and professionalism of the American soldier.

His actions also represent the unique heroism of the military linguist. In the conflicts that our nation now finds itself in, languages and their key role in understanding and influencing the cultures that they speak for, are essential to our national security. That is why I feel it is so fitting that the Army has dedicated a new barracks building at the DLI in honor of Staff Sergeant Vance, where his service can stand as an example to the current generation of linguists who are the key to prevailing against the terrorism and instability that threaten America.

On a personal note, I am doubly touched because as the Member of Congress who represents California's Central Coast, I worked hard to secure the funding to construct the barracks building that will bear Staff Sergeant Vance's name. At the time, I was simply working with the DLI leadership to help improve the living conditions for their students. I can't overstate now how proud I am that this building will now bear witness to the heroism Staff Sergeant Vance and in his name, all military linguists who will serve in the global war on terrorism.

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 (By Senators Tomblin, Mr. President, Bailey, Boley, Bowman, Burnette, Caldwell, Chafin, Craigo, Deem, Edgell, Facemyer, Fanning, Helmick, Hunter, Jackson, Love, McCabe, McKenzie, Minard, Minear, Mitchell, Oliverio, Plymale, Prezioso, Redd, Ross, Rowe, Sharpe, Snyder, Sprouse, Unger and Wooton)

Memorializing the life of SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., who became an American hero on May 19, 2002, while serving his nation in Afghanistan.

Whereas, Gene Arden Vance, Jr., was born into a military family in Frankfort, Germany, on November 30, 1963, the son of the late Gene Arden Vance, Sr., and June Steel Vance; and

Whereas, Gene Arden Vance, Jr., a McDowell County native, was a 1981 graduate of Oceana High School, Wyoming County, where he was voted "most quiet" in his high school senior class; and

Whereas, Gene Arden Vance, Jr., who managed one of West Virginia's largest sporting goods stores in Morgantown, was a true West Virginia Mountaineer. He was not only a student at West Virginia University, but an avid outdoorsman who loved mountain biking, backpacking and kayaking; and

Whereas, Gene Arden Vance, Jr., served his nation in the United States Army from 1983 to 1990. He joined the United States Army Reserves in 1992 and was a member of the Support Company 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces of Kenova. He was highly trained in advanced international Morse code and Persian Farsi language. He had earned a Bronze Star for his service in the Persian Gulf; and

Whereas, In December, 2001, after the terrible events of September 11, 2001, which began America's war on terrorism, Support Company 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces of Kenova was activated and SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., became a part of Operation Enduring Freedom; and

Whereas, On May 19, 2002, SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., was on a mission in Afghanistan to extract Taliban and al-Qaida forces when his group was ambushed. Sadly, SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., was killed in action. He was the first West Virginia National Guardsman to be killed in action since World War II; and

Whereas, SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., made the ultimate sacrifice in our nation's pursuit of terrorists for which a grateful nation bows its head in sorry. His death and his dedication and commitment to the armed forces strengthens our resolve as a nation; and

Whereas, Fittingly, SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., was laid to rest on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2002. During his memorial service, he was posthumously bestowed a second Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and a Legion of Merit Award along with the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal. He was also awarded a West Virginia University diploma, Honorary Regents of Bachelor of Arts degree and therefore, be it Resolved by the West Virginia Legislature:

That the Legislature hereby recognizes the sacrifice of SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., who's service to a grateful nation will not be forgotten and who's passing has only strengthened our resolve in pursuit of terrorists and those who harbor them; and, be it Further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby recognizes that the death of SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., has touched the heart of a grateful nation and has enshrined him in American history as a true hero.