The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“HONORING CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 BRYAN J. NICHOLS” mentioning Jerry Moran was published in the Senate section on pages S6107-S6108 on Aug. 9.
Of the 100 senators in 117th Congress, 24 percent were women, and 76 percent were men, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Senators' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 BRYAN J. NICHOLS
Mr. MORAN. Madam President, 10 years ago I attended the memorial service for CW2 Bryan J. Nichols. I vividly remember the outpouring of support from the Hays community as hundreds of people lined the streets with American flags to honor their hometown hero.
On Friday, August 6, 2021, a memorilization ceremony was held in New Century, KS, by the Army Reserve Center and Aviation Support Center to once again honor the bravery and sacrifice of Chief Nichols.
I have been told that Bryan knew his life's purpose was to become a soldier, a calling he pursued to defend our freedom.
He took his oath of enlistment in 1996, swearing to protect our country from enemies foreign and domestic. After 9/11, he answered our country's call to defend our homeland, serving on multiple tours abroad, including in Iraq.
As we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the way Americans like Bryan dedicated themselves to their country following the attacks continues to move and inspire me.
After graduating flight school in 2008, he was assigned as a pilot to the Army Reserve's 7th Battalion of the 158th Aviation Regiment in New Century, KS. He deployed in May 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a CH-47 Chinook pilot.
On August 6, 2011, he gave his life for his country alongside 29 of his brothers in arms when his helicopter was shot down by enemy fire. It remains the single deadliest loss of U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan.
The ultimate sacrifice he made a decade ago is a painful reminder that freedom is not free. And that it is the solemn duty of our Nation to make certain his sacrifice--and those of all American heroes--are never forgotten.
On Friday, that duty was fulfilled in a particularly special way with the Memorialization Ceremony remembering Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nichols as a fallen hero and beloved member of this community.
As Kansans so naturally do, we have also seen the Hays community continue to keep his legacy at the forefront of our minds, from creating the annual Memorial Ride in his honor to dedicating the new flag pole outside Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in his name.
Shortly after his passing, I was also pleased to support efforts to designate the junction of I-70 and US 183 as the ``CW2 Bryan J. Nichols fallen veterans memorial interchange.'' This designation serves as a reminder to all those who drive by of the heroes who have safeguarded our opportunity to live in the strongest, freest, and greatest Nation in the world.
While Bryan was an American hero to all of us, he was also a son, brother, husband, and dad to those who loved him most. Military service is family service, and I want to recognize his family's sacrifice to this country as well. Thank you.
Our nation is forever indebted to Bryan for his service.
May God bless our servicemembers and their loved ones.
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