[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H2591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT MORALES AND CORPORAL RODRIGUEZ

  (Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to two Puerto 
Rican soldiers who died recently in the Middle East. Sergeant Orlando 
Morales, a soldier who served in Special Operations in Afghanistan, and 
who died after being wounded in an ambush last Saturday as part of 
Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Morales' Special Operations 
battalion took on hostile fire during a reconnaissance mission. Marine 
Corporal Robert M. Rodriguez was killed in action on March 27 when his 
tank crashed into the Euphrates River during combat operations 
northwest of An Nasiriyah. The United States and Puerto Rico lost true 
patriots in both these brave men.
  While I did not personally know them, there are thousands of 
dedicated soldiers like them active in the Armed Forces from Puerto 
Rico and of Puerto Rican descent. My thoughts and prayers are with 
their families and loved ones and with our troops in the Middle East. I 
am here today to recognize their sacrifice to the United States and to 
Puerto Rico.
  I want to also take this opportunity to let my colleagues know that 
Puerto Ricans today, as throughout our history with the U.S., remain in 
steadfast commitment to our armed services.
  We must forever recognize the tens of thousands like Sergeant Morales 
and Corporal Rodriguez who have died or have been wounded in combat. 
During the Korean War, General Douglas MacArthur said of the forces of 
the much-heralded 65th Infantry, the fighting Borinqueneers from Puerto 
Rico, and I quote, ``They are writing a brilliant record of achievement 
in battle and I am proud indeed to have them in this command.''
  I ask my colleagues to honor these soldiers and to recognize the 
ongoing Puerto Rican commitment to the United States military.

                          ____________________