[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                AMERICAN GI FORUM RECOGNIZES NAT BENITEZ

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 1996

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, throughout our Nation's history the men and 
women who have served in our Armed Forces have been responsible for 
providing and securing the blessings of liberty for all Americans. 
Admirably serving our Nation have been many Hispanic Americans who have 
come together as members of the American GI Forum to effectively 
represent the concerns and interests of Latino veterans and their 
families in many issues.
  This weekend the American GI Forum of Michigan is holding its 35th 
Annual State Convention, which is being proudly hosted by the Flint 
Frank O. Barrera Chapter. At the convention the members will be 
learning more about the experiences of one veteran whom I am proud to 
have as a constituent, Mr. Natividad ``Nat'' Benitez of Gagetown. Nat 
Benitez was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery under fire for holding 
his position against superior enemy forces on April 15, 1945.
  His bravery was reported by the Cass City Chronicle on March 20, 
1991, which recounted the event. With two flanking positions having 
been knocked out, leaving him alone to defend the line, Nat Benitez 
exhausted his supply of ammunition and hand grenades, crawled out of 
his foxhole under intense mortar, grenade and rifle fire, crawled 
through an exposed position to get more ammunition, and then returned 
to his original position to continue to hold the line. Even though he 
was the only soldier holding this position, the next day it was 
discovered that there were 23 dead members of the enemy force around 
his position.
  Today, more than 50 years after his harrowing and heroic exploits, 
Mr. Benitez continues his profound respect for members of our military, 
understanding all too well the risks that they each take, especially 
when in actual combat. He knows how hard it is to lose a friend, who 
can be taken in a split second by enemy fire. He knows that training is 
not enjoyable, but it is essential to survival. He knows what it is to 
risk all for one's country, and how important it is that our veterans 
be treated fairly for all that they have done.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and all of our colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Mr. Nat Benitez in his recognition by the American GI 
Forum of Michigan, and in wishing all of the members of the Forum a 
most successful convention.

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