The Senate introduced SR572 on December 18, 2025 to honor United States Army Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard and United States Army Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, who were killed in an attack near Palmyra, Syria on December 13, 2025. The resolution recognizes their dedicated service as members of the Iowa Army National Guard and memorializes their sacrifice in defense of the United States.
It also extends sympathy to their families and pays tribute to the bravery of National Guard members and allied forces who responded to the incident.
The resolution further condemns the terrorist assault that claimed their lives, expresses gratitude for the swift actions of U.S. and allied personnel on the scene, and respectfully requests that an enrolled copy be transmitted to the families of Sergeant Howard and Sergeant Torres-Tovar. It does not create new policy or funding authority; rather, it provides formal recognition and remembrance from the Senate as a Congressional expression of national gratitude.
At a Glance
What It Does
The resolution proclaims honors for two Iowa Army National Guard sergeants killed in a December 13, 2025 attack near Palmyra, Syria, expresses sympathy to their families, and requests transmission of an enrolled copy to those families.
Who It Affects
Directly affects the families of the fallen soldiers, the Iowa Army National Guard community (including the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment), and U.S. and allied personnel involved in the Palmyra operation.
Why It Matters
It sets a formal, nonpolitical acknowledgment of sacrifice, reinforces public remembrance of service members, and signals national solidarity with military families and partners in multinational security efforts.
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What This Bill Actually Does
This resolution is a ceremonial memorial. It memorializes two Iowa Army National Guard sergeants—William Howard and Edgar Torres-Tovar—who were killed in a December 13, 2025 attack during a counter-terrorism engagement near Palmyra, Syria.
It notes that a civilian interpreter was also killed and that three Iowa National Guard soldiers were injured in the assault, placing the event in the broader context of ongoing multinational efforts in the region.
The Senate’s action consists of eight acknowledgments. It honors Howard and Torres-Tovar for their service to their state and country, extends sympathies and gratitude to their families and communities, and recognizes the bravery of National Guard members and partnering forces who responded to the attack.
It commends the swift actions of U.S. and allied personnel who prevented further loss of life and condemns the terrorist assault in the strongest terms. Finally, it directs that an enrolled copy of the resolution be transmitted to the two families.There are no policy changes or funding provisions attached to this resolution.
The act is purely ceremonial, serving to memorialize the servicemembers and to provide a formal, public acknowledgment of their sacrifice.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill honors the memory and service of Sgts. Howard and Torres-Tovar.
It extends sympathy to the families and communities affected.
It recognizes the bravery of National Guard members and allied forces on scene.
It condemns the terrorist assault that targeted U.S. service members.
It directs transmission of an enrolled copy to the families of the fallen soldiers.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
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Honor Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard
The resolution memorializes Sergeant Howard for his dedicated service to the State of Iowa and to the United States as a member of the Iowa Army National Guard. It recognizes his long commitment and personal qualities that embody duty and sacrifice, placing his service in the context of the broader mission to defend the nation.
Honor Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar
The resolution memorializes Sergeant Torres-Tovar for his service to the State of Iowa and to the United States as a member of the Iowa Army National Guard. It highlights his professionalism and community ties, framing his sacrifice within the same national defense context as Sergeant Howard.
Extend sympathies and support to families
The Senate extends its sympathies, gratitude, and support to the families of both sergeants and to the communities affected by the loss. The language underscores the public acknowledgment of their sacrifice and the nation’s appreciation for their loved ones’ contributions.
Honor bravery of National Guard and partner forces
The resolution recognizes the bravery and professionalism of National Guard members and partner forces who responded under fire and cared for the wounded. It situates their actions within the broader multinational effort to safeguard personnel and civilians in a volatile environment.
Express gratitude for swift actions on scene
The Senate expresses profound gratitude for the rapid actions of United States and allied personnel on the scene, which helped prevent further loss of life. The provision emphasizes coordinated international response and the commitment to civilian and service-member safety.
Condemn the terrorist assault
The resolution condemns the terrorist attack in the strongest possible terms, reinforcing the nation's stance against terrorism and violence targeting American service members and civilians.
Honor embodying ideals of duty and service
The language acknowledges that National Guard members and volunteers who serve in harm’s way embody core values of duty, courage, and selfless service, reinforcing public memory of their conduct.
Transmit enrolled copy to families
The Senate respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of the resolution to the families of Sergeant Howard and Sergeant Torres-Tovar, ensuring formal recognition is conveyed to those most directly affected.
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Who Benefits
- Families of Sergeant Howard and Sergeant Torres-Tovar, who receive formal recognition and memorialization for their loved ones' sacrifices.
- Iowa Army National Guard and its home communities (e.g., Marshalltown and Des Moines), which gain public acknowledgment of their members' service.
- U.S. military personnel and allied partners who benefit from shared remembrance of service members and morale within multinational operations.
- The Senate and the broader public, which gain a clear expression of gratitude for sacrifice and a symbolic commitment to national memory.
- Veterans and civic groups that maintain public records and ceremonies commemorating service and sacrifice.
Who Bears the Cost
- Senate staff time and resources required to draft, process, and enroll the resolution.
- The Office of the Secretary of the Senate bears printing and distribution costs for the enrolled copy.
- Administrative and communications infrastructure within the Capitol complex that supports ceremonial actions (generally minimal).
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central dilemma is whether a memorial resolution like SR572, which inherently focuses on individual sacrifice and public remembrance, can meaningfully contribute to national policy or military support in a manner that remains respectful to the fallen and useful to the public or whether its impact is limited to ceremonial tribute without broader policy implications.
As a ceremonial resolution, SR572 does not establish policy or authorize new funding. The primary tension lies in balancing a symbolic act of remembrance with the risk that such memorials can be perceived as politicizing a specific incident or overshadowing ongoing policy debates about military engagement and veteran support.
While the resolution honors individuals and expresses national gratitude, it does not create enduring obligations beyond ceremonial acknowledgment, and any broader impact rests in ongoing public memory and commemorative practices rather than statutory change.
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