Mr. Speaker,  it is with profound sorrow that I rise to recognize the loss of a brave Marine in Iraq, Corporal Brian R. St. Germain, a Rhode Island citizen who served his country with dignity and honor.  I join his family and the people of Rhode Island in mourning this great loss.

Cpl. St. Germain grew up in West Warwick, RI.  He was an honor student and a 2001 graduate of West Warwick High School, where determination and hard work led him to become an all-state hurdler on the track and field team.  These traits were signs of the first-rate Marine that he would soon become. 

Cpl. St. Germain was an active duty Marine on his second tour of duty in Iraq assigned to the 1st Marine Logistics Group, 1st Expeditionary Force.  Cpl. St. Germain unselfishly volunteered to ride on dangerous convoys so that his fellow Marines with wives and children would be spared the additional risk.  On April 2nd, Cpl. St. Germain was killed in a vehicle accident along with five other marines in the Al Anbar Province when their Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement was caught in a flash flood and rolled over.    

This loss causes us to reflect on the bravery demonstrated by our men and women in uniform as they carry out their obligations in the face of danger.  When Cpl. St. Germain’s nation called him to duty to preserve freedom, liberty and security, he answered without hesitation. We will remember him as a patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Cpl. St. Germain is survived by his parents, Lynn and Robert; his brother Nicholas; his grandmother Louise; and his uncle and godfather, Terence Adamo.  May we keep his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers as they endure this difficult period.

We will also continue to hope for the safe and speedy return of all of our troops serving throughout the world.