[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF LORI ANN PIESTEWA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2003

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of my colleagues I rise to 
remember the life and sacrifices of Private First Class, Lori Ann 
Piestewa of the United States Army. Lori was a member of the 507th 
Maintenance Division working near Nasiriya, when her convoy made a 
wrong turn and was ambushed. Lori lost her life along with eight other 
American soldiers in the same incident. Lori became the first Native 
American woman to die in combat.
  Lori was a dedicated mother of two young children, and leaves behind 
a closely knit group of family and friends in the Hopi Indian community 
in Tuba City, Arizona. Lori was a source of enormous pride for her 
family and the larger Hopi community.
  Native Americans have a long and proud history in the United States 
military, with 12,000 currently serving. Hopi leadership has reported 
that approximately 56 tribe members are in the military, with an 
astonishing 48 now on active duty in the gulf region. Hopi/Arizona Tewa 
enrolled tribe members face many hardships: unemployment hovers near 
27% and of the employed less than 40% have full-time jobs. Moreover, 
nearly 57% of Hopi tribe members live below the poverty line, with only 
small percentages of the Hopi population in need receiving public 
assistance or welfare resources.
  Lori's children and family should know that in sacrificing her life 
for our nation in this war, she has become a great source of pride for 
all Americans, but particularly those of us who have served or who have 
family members who have served in this nation's armed forces. Lori will 
also stand as a symbol and poignant reminder of the many hardships and 
tremendous sacrifices that Native Americans in this nation continue to 
make for our country.

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