WASHINGTON — Representative Scott Franklin, a Navy veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after voting in favor of awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 military servicemembers killed in Afghanistan on August 28, 2021:

“I was proud to co-sponsor H.R. 5142, which awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 servicemembers who gave their lives to rescue Americans and our allies in Afghanistan. Each of these brave young men and women made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. While we can never repay them for their sacrifice, it is right that we posthumously award them the Congressional Gold Medal so that they will be forever memorialized as the heroes they are. As the Bible tells us: There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”