[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE MEMORY OF CAPTAIN ARMANDO ARIEL GONZALEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a saddened 
heart for the untimely death of a South Florida resident who paid the 
ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. Captain Armando Ariel 
Gonzalez was killed on April 14, 2003 in a non-hostile accident when a 
commercial refueler collapsed at a supply area in Southern Iraq. I wish 
to express my deepest condolences to Captain Gonzalez' wife, and the 
entire Gonzalez family. Equally, I offer all my support and prayers.
  I believe that a person's life is not measured by the time spent on 
this earth, but by what is accomplished while here. With this in mind, 
Captain Gonzalez will always be considered a hero. The ultimate passing 
of any true hero is a tragedy.
  This tragedy only crystallizes the great risk and danger these brave 
men and women experience in the name of the people of the United 
States. All of America mourns the loss of our military men and women, 
though we cannot feel the depth of the families' pain. We must never 
forget that the peace and prosperity that we enjoy today are founded on 
the ultimate sacrifices made by those who have lost their lives in war 
throughout our Nation's history. They have earned our gratitude and 
respect.
  Mr. Speaker, because of the very high regard in which I hold all 
members of the United States armed services, it is especially 
disturbing to me when one of these fine young men or women is killed. 
By any measure, their contributions, in terms of human sacrifice, are 
immense. As a nation we share the sense of loss that the Gonzalez 
family is experiencing. Though sorrow runs deep, our pride for Captain 
Gonzalez shines brightly.

                          ____________________