[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 8, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      GRANTING CITIZENSHIP TO IMMIGRANT SOLDIERS WHO DIE IN COMBAT

  Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, I rise today to share with my colleagues 
the story of one of my Georgia constituents. It begins with a brave 
young 3rd Infantry soldier named Diego Rincon.
  Diego was a native of Colombia and he came to the United States in 
1989 with his family when he was 5 years old. He enjoyed a life of 
freedom and safety that might not have been possible in Colombia.
  Diego was extremely loyal to the country that welcomed him. And after 
the September 11 attacks, he decided it was time to repay his adopted 
Nation.
  Upon graduation from Salem High School in Conyers, GA, Diego enlisted 
in the Army. He became a member of the ``Rock of the Marne,'' Fort 
Stewart's 3rd Infantry Division.
  Sadly, Private First Class Rincon was killed March 29 in Iraq by a 
suicide bomber at a military checkpoint. Diego was 19 years old. Three 
other members of his 1st Brigade were also killed.
  In late February, Diego wrote his final letter home to his mother 
just as his Brigade was getting ready to move out. Let me read just a 
little of that letter:

       So I guess the time has finally come for us to see what we 
     are made of, who will crack when the stress level rises and 
     who will be calm all the way through it. Only time will tell.
       I try not to think of what may happen in the future, but I 
     can't stand seeing it in my eyes. There's going to be 
     murders, funerals and tears rolling down everybody's eyes. 
     But the only thing I can say is, keep my head up and try to 
     keep the faith and pray for better days. All this will pass. 
     I believe God has a path for me.
       Whether I make it or not, it's all part of the plan. It 
     can't be changed, only completed.

  This 19-year-old was wise beyond his years.
  Diego joined the Army for the noblest of reasons. He fought and died 
in Iraq while defending our Nation's freedom.
  And after his death, his family asked one last request of the 
Government in return for their son's life--to be able to bury him this 
Thursday as a U.S. citizen.
  I am very pleased and proud to announce today that--with the help of 
the INS--Private First Class Diego Rincon has been awarded U.S. 
citizenship. This brave soldier will be buried Thursday as a citizen of 
our great country.
  But there are thousands of noncitizens fighting in our military right 
now.
  So, I, along with my fellow senator from Georgia, Senator Chambliss, 
have introduced legislation calling for citizenship to be granted 
immediately to any soldier who fights in our armed services and dies in 
combat.
  For those among our troops who are not citizens and who die on the 
battlefield, I believe the least we can do is to honor them with 
posthumous citizenship.
  And I believe it should be done automatically by the Government, with 
no delay and no burden on the families.
  Under our bill, the families of these brave soldiers would not have 
to fill out any forms or make any phone calls.
  This citizenship would apply only to the deceased soldier and it 
would not make the soldier's family eligible for any extra benefits or 
special treatment.
  It is simply a final gesture of thanks and gratitude for the ultimate 
sacrifice these immigrant soldiers have made for their adopted country.

                          ____________________