{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-miller-meeks-joins-iowa-delegation-honor-fallen-iowa-guardsmen", "Congresswoman Miller\u2011Meeks Joins Iowa Delegation to Honor Fallen Iowa Guardsmen", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Mariannette Miller-Meeks", "M001215", "millermeeks.house.gov", "millermeeks", "https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller\u2011Meeks (IA\u201101) A 24-year Army veteran, joined members of the Iowa congressional delegation in introducing a resolution honoring the lives, service, and sacrifice of Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard and Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres\u2011Tovar of the Iowa National Guard. These two brave young soldiers were killed in an ambush by an ISIS\u2011affiliated terrorist near Palmyra, Syria, on December 13, 2025. Companion legislation is being introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Joni Ernst (R\u2011IA) and Chuck Grassley (R\u2011IA).\n\n\u201cIowa mourns the heartbreaking loss of Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres\u2011Tovar, two brave members of our Iowa National Guard who gave their lives in service to our country,\" said Rep. Miller-Meeks. \"Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication represent the very best of our state and our nation. We honor their memory, stand with their families, and commit to never forgetting the price they paid to protect our freedom.\u201d\n\n\u201cIowa lost two of our finest. Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar and Sergeant Nate Howard are heroes of the highest order,\u201d said Rep. Nunn. \u201cIn honoring them today, we speak with one voice to say their courage will not be forgotten. Their legacy will live on\u2014not just in the hearts of their families and fellow Guardsmen, but in the history of this nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cSergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar and Sergeant Nate Howard are American heroes,\u201d said Senator Ernst. \u201cAs we take action to remember their legacy today, we commemorate their valor and ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten. Our Iowa National Guard members are a true testament to the selfless bravery it takes to put on the uniform and keep our homeland safe from the threat of radical Islamic terror. Americans owe them an immeasurable debt and stand with their families, loved ones, and recovering soldiers during this time.\u201d\n\n\u201cSergeant Howard and Sergeant Torres-Tovar paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we owe them a debt that can never be repaid,\u201d said Senator Grassley. \u201cBarbara and I are praying for their families and loved ones. Today, I\u2019m joining Senator Ernst to introduce a resolution honoring these two remarkable young men. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten, and will be written in the Senate\u2019s history books forever.\u201d\n\n\u201cSergeant Nate Howard and Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar are real Iowa heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our grateful nation,\u201d said Rep. Feenstra. \u201cThey bravely defended their fellow servicemembers from a terrorist attack and we all mourn their loss. I\u2019m humbled to help lead a congressional resolution honoring these brave Iowans, recognizing their incredible courage, and condemning this vile terrorist attack on U.S. troops. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the injured soldiers and with the families and loved ones of Sergeant Howard and Sergeant Torres-Tovar. We will never forget their service and sacrifice on behalf of Iowa and the United States of America against evil and terror.\u201d\n\n\"The loss of Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar is a sobering reminder of the immense sacrifices our servicemembers make to defend our precious freedoms,\" said Rep. Hinson. \"Mothers and fathers should never have to outlive their children. These young men will always be remembered as heroes, and we stand with their families in grief, honoring their lives, service, and enduring legacy.\"\n\nText of the resolution is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "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://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-miller-meeks-joins-iowa-delegation-honor-fallen-iowa-guardsmen"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3849458191543818, "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"}