Madam Speaker,

Today I rise to celebrate and honor the service of Army Master Sergeant Jeffrey Mittman for receiving the Osborne A. “Oz” Day AbilityOne Awareness Award.  The prestigious “Oz” Award is presented by the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled to an employee at a federal agency who demonstrates exceptional service promoting the AbilityOne Program throughout the federal, state and local communities.

Now, the National Account Manager for the National Industries for the Blind’s Midwest Region, Master Sergeant Mittman supports a mission of employment for others with disabilities by promoting the AbilityOne Program through the federal procurement process in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District. This patriot’s story is a remarkable one, for his story does not start nor finish here with this award.

Master Sergeant Mittman’s indefatigable commitment to serve his fellow Americans began as a soldier in the United States Army in 1989. Having fought in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom, and in 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Master Sergeant Mittman was the All-American hero who never turned down defending his country. It wasn’t till his return to Iraq in 2005 as a special advisor to the Iraqi Department of the Interior, that he came face-to-face with death; changing his life forever.

Tragically, an improvised explosive device that exploded near his vehicle in Iraq, leaving Master Sergeant Mittman without a nose, lips, most of his teeth, and the majority of his vision. Since that time, he has endured more than 40 operations and spent over four years recovering physically and emotionally. To his great credit, he has traveled the country sharing the lessons he learned from these experiences with the world.

He is noted for saying it is the veteran who has to take that very first step to recovering and that he realized this after attending the Blinded Veterans Association Conference in 2006, where he met people who were blinded years ago who are now attorneys, teachers and business executives. After realizing life can be good in spite of having a disability, he decided to help others who also have disabilities find jobs and lead meaningful lives.

Master Sergeant Mittman, a 40-year old decorated warrior, husband of 17 years, father of two and outspoken military veteran was and forever will be an All-American hero whose determination and selflessness continue to serve our country and inspire our hearts. Today, we salute you.

FOR IMMEIDATE RELEASE                                                                                  CONTACT: John Donnelly
September 11, 2010                                                                                                     (317) 848-0201

Burton Commemorates Ninth Anniversary Of September 11th

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN-05) issued the following statement to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001:

“Today we remember the thousands of innocent lives lost on the day we simply call ‘Nine-Eleven.’ Today we keep our promise to never forget. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families who lost a loved one nine years ago.

“We also reflect on the many images of September 11th that will be in our hearts and minds forever.  Firefighters selflessly running into the burning towers, walls of dust pouring through the streets of Manhattan, first responders draping the flag over the Pentagon, and the plume of smoke rising from a field in Shanksville.  America saw the worst of the world that day, but we also saw the best among us.
 
“Our thoughts today are also with our men and woman in uniform who continue the fight that started on Flight 93 above Pennsylvania.  Just as we stood unified in the days following September 11th, we must also stand together with our troops as they confront and destroy the very terrorists who attacked us.  We know of many heroes who emerged in the face of terror nine years ago, and their legacy lives on every day in the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                   CONTACT: John Donnelly
September 11, 2009                                                                                                                                       (202) 225-2276

Burton Statement On 8th Anniversary of 9/11

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN-05) issued the following statement in recognition of the 8th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States:

"I extend my deepest condolences to all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The enormous loss of life left a void in the hearts of thousands across America and throughout the world. Here in the office of Indiana's 5th District, we remember a former staff member who lost her life on Flight 77.

"On that tragic day, all of America, even those who may not have experienced personal devastation, felt a kinship with those near the fallen towers, the wounded Pentagon, and the quiet field in Shanksville. A solemn bond formed across our nation on the evening of September 11th, and on the 12th, we began to recover, rebuild, and right the wrongs that were committed against us.

"As we all pause to reflect on what happened eight years ago, my thoughts are with the men and women in our military who continue making
enormous sacrifices to prevent terrorists from touching our shores again. As they continue the fight that began on Flight 93, we must unite around their heroic actions and stay committed to the cause of defeating terrorism.

"Finally, I ask that we remember the national unity that was formed eight years ago. America is an unstoppable force when we unite behind a
common cause, and I hope we continually seek to reclaim that bond as we meet the many challenges of today and the future."

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