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“RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER MARINE CORPS MASTER SERGEANT (MSGT) SCOTT EUGENE PRUITT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E561-E562 on April 28, 2017.
The Department handles nearly all infrastructure crisscrossing the country. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department should be privatized to save money, reduce congestion and spur innovation.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF FALLEN MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER MARINE CORPS MASTER
SERGEANT (MSGT) SCOTT EUGENE PRUITT
_____
HON. TRENT KELLY
of mississippi
in the house of representatives
Friday, April 28, 2017
Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Marine Corps Master Sergeant (MSgt) Scott Eugene Pruitt who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation on April 28, 2012, during Operation Enduring Freedom. MSgt Pruitt was killed in action by enemy fire when his vehicle was struck by a roadside improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Nimroz Province, Afghanistan. This was his first deployment.
MSgt Pruitt, a Gautier native, was assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. MSgt Pruitt was a financial management Marine for 18 years and also an instructor with the Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools. He volunteered to go on deployment with his junior Marines.
MSgt Pruitt was honored for his sacrifice by family, friends, and fellow service members during a memorial service held at the base auditorium at Camp Johnson, a satellite installation of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune on May 31, 2012.
``He not only wanted to deploy as a Marine,'' said Lydia Hobson, MSgt Pruitt's mother, ``but as a human being. He wanted to help the people and children over there. When he got to Afghanistan, he asked me to send him crayons and coloring books for the children in the hospital because they didn't have the things American children had. He was a great man.''
``Pruitt never stopped surprising me,'' retired Master Sergeant Ron Scott, one of Pruitt's mentors said. ``I had a special bond with him. He grew from this young, wide-eyed kid to someone I called a brother.''
MSgt Pruitt was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice. He was also recognized by the Marine Corps Combat Service Support School ``Wall of Heroes'' where his memorial frame was placed.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation has designated a section of U.S. Highway 90 in Gautier as the Scott E. Pruitt Memorial Highway.
MSgt Pruitt is survived by his daughters Jennifer and Jordyn, and his fiancee, Trisha Lane.
MSgt Pruitt's dedication to protecting our nation will always be remembered.
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