{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-salutes-new-castle-veteran-house-floor-0", "Rep. Kelly Salutes New Castle Veteran on House Floor", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Mike Kelly", "K000376", "kelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "USMC Major Eric Burkett lost leg during service in Morocco \nWATCH HERE\nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) paid tribute to a local disabled veteran \u2013 U.S. Marine Corps Major Eric Burkett of New Castle \u2013 on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday morning. After detailing Major Burkett\u2019s service, the congressman recited a poem written by Albert Carey Caswell in his honor and submitted it into the congressional record. An official copy of the floor statement and poem is scheduled to be delivered to Major Burkett.\nText of Rep. Kelly\u2019s floor statement:\n\u201cI rise today in honor of one of my constituents, United States Marine Major Eric Burkett from New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was deployed as a member of the 24th Expeditionary Force in Morocco as an Osprey pilot.\n\u201cOn April 11th, 2012, he was nearly killed in a plane crash, which took the lives of two of his brothers-in-arms. After coming home to Walter Reed, he lost one of his legs and continues to recover from his numerous injuries to this day.\n\u201cHis wife Melissa, who also is a former Marine, has been by his side from Day One, along with their loving six children.\n\u201cMajor Burkett may never fly again, but already with his recovery he soars high above most of us. It was his spirit of service and patriotism that led him to start a program at Fort Belvoir for adaptive archery for his fellow wounded warriors.\n\u201cI proudly submit for the record this poem penned by Albert Carey Caswell in his honor, and in celebration of his new adapted home built thanks to the Gary Sinise Foundation.\n\u201cAt this time, I would like to read an excerpt of this poem:\nAs his two brothers,\nangels now up to Heaven would rise...\nComing back home with only his family upon which to rely...\nSo all by his side...\nHis fine wife Melissa and children giving him the strength to try...\nAs he knew it was time...\nTime to rebuild his life...\nArmed with his heart of the strength and iron will...\nGiving him the power and courage to nourish him to instill...\nThe strength to rebuild...\nWho against all odds our wounded warriors into that dark night move onward\nstill...\n\u201cMr. Speaker, it is people, it is people like Major Burkett who we celebrate. People who put themselves in danger, in harm\u2019s way, in order to protect the rest of us. I am so proud and so humbled to be able today to submit this poem in honor of Major Burkett.\u201d\nUSMSC Major Eric Burkett\n[Photo courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation]\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://kelly.house.gov/press-release/rep-kelly-salutes-new-castle-veteran-house-floor-0"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7958509959280491, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}