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Rep. Bobby Schilling

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the distinguished life of Sergeant John Baker, Jr.

Born in Davenport, Iowa, but raised within the 17th District of Illinois, in Moline, Sergeant Baker served in Vietnam as a proud member of the United States Army. His selflessness and heroism earned him the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart as he bravely fought for God and country. Sergeant Baker would humbly say that this Medal of Honor was not actually for him, that he had done what anyone would have, that the medal belonged to all servicemen, to all veterans.

Though he surely never would have said so himself, Sergeant Baker--the Quad Cities only Medal of Honor recipient--represented all that is good about our great Nation. Although he is no longer with us, the I-280 bridge named after John Baker, Vietnam veteran, and the monument will also serve as a constant reminder of who Sergeant Baker was and what he did for us all.

Godspeed, Sergeant Baker. God bless you for your outstanding service, your remarkable courage, and your modest heroism.