[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 103 (Monday, July 14, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H6686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING GEORGE GARCIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor a dear friend from my 
district, George Garcia, who died early this morning at the age of 51. 
He was a resident of El Sereno community of East Los Angeles in my 
district. He was born on May 6, 1952, in Los Angeles and grew up in the 
community of Chino, California.
  At the age of 18, George Garcia answered our Nation's call to duty 
and voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army. He was signed to 
the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served with great honor during the 
Vietnam War. In Vietnam, George served as a ``tunnel rat.'' I asked my 
colleagues what is a tunnel rat. Apparently these young men in that era 
courageously dug tunnels behind enemy lines in the Vietnam War.
  Upon returning from Vietnam, George married his high school 
sweetheart, Roberta Melendez. Together, they raised three beautiful 
children who mourn his loss today, as well as myself and other people 
from our community. One of his children, George, Jr., is carrying on 
his father's commitment to defending our Nation as a member of the 
United States Navy.
  Upon returning from Vietnam, George Garcia dedicated his life and 
career to helping fellow veterans. For the past 25 years, he worked as 
an employee of the Employment Development Department in California 
finding jobs for unemployed veterans.

                              {time}  2045

  He founded the San Gabriel Valley East Los Angeles Veterans 
Employment Committee. He also fought vigorously to address the special 
needs of Latino veterans, including immigration, substance abuse and 
education training. George also formed coalitions among multi-ethnic 
groups and gave numerous hours to grassroots organizing to ensure a 
voice for his fellow veterans.
  Most recently, George dedicated his time and expertise to military 
families who were waiting to hear about their loved ones who are 
currently serving in Iraq. He spent many, many years helping us each 
year provide gifts to poor children during Christmastime in the 
communities of East Los Angeles. Throughout his life, George Garcia 
gave unselfishly to his fellow veterans and their families. The imprint 
of his efforts can be felt throughout the Los Angeles community, and we 
all grieve for him today.
  His commitment to serving his fellow veterans earned him in 2002 the 
honor of being named the State of California's Veteran of the Year by 
the Department for Veterans Outreach Programs in the State of 
California.
  Whenever there was an event or a project to help veterans, George was 
there. I met him years ago as a State Senator in California. Every time 
I would ask him, what can we do to help the veterans, what can we do to 
help the homeless veterans, he was there giving his ideas, sharing with 
his heart and his compassion, tirelessly as a volunteer, no pay, but 
out of the love of his heart.
  I want to ask all my colleagues here to join me in honoring a true 
American hero. To him and his family, his son and to all those people 
and all those veterans, homeless veterans who met and touched him, he 
touched their hearts and he touches our hearts every day. We will 
remember you, George. We love you. God bless you.

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