[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 172 (Sunday, November 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN REMEMBRANCE OF GUSTAVO MONTEJANO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my deepest 
sympathies to the family and friends of my constituent Gustavo 
Montejano (Mon-tay-HAH-no) and his two daughters, Katia and Esmerelda.
  Gustavo Montejano is a true hero. When his family's home caught fire 
early on Monday morning, Gustavo rushed his wife and 2-year-old son out 
of the house. He then went back to rescue his two daughters, who were 
still asleep inside. Unfortunately, the second story collapsed, and the 
smoke and flames overtook him before he could get his girls to safety. 
As the headline from the Houston Chronicle reads, ``He died hugging his 
two girls.''
  While we are all deeply saddened for the Montejano family's loss, I 
know that those girls were comforted by their father's presence, and 
that they died together knowing that he loved them so much that he was 
willing to sacrifice his own life trying to save them.
  Gustavo's family remembers him as a kind and generous man, who took 
in his sister and her eight children when they needed a home.
  Despite the fact that he had been laid off from his job, he helped 
support his sister's family as well as his own, helping to pay bills 
and care for the children.
  I know his wife, Maribel, and 2-year-old son are devastated by this 
loss, but they should be proud of the great man Gustavo was, and that 
he died a hero's death.
  His loss will be felt by all of Galena Park, and I ask that you 
remember the Montejano family in your thoughts and prayers.

                          ____________________