[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E694-E695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING STAFF SGT. JIMMY ARROYAVE WHO WAS KILLED IN IRAQ, APRIL 
                                  2004

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 2004

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart 
that I rise today to pay tribute to Jimmy Arroyave, USMC, who was 
killed in the line of duty in Iraq on April 15, 2004. On his second 
deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Staff Sgt. Arroyave 
died in a motor vehicle accident northeast of Al Ramadi.
  Serving with the Combat Service Support Battalion, 1st Marine 
Expeditionary Force, which is stationed out of Camp Pendleton, this 30-
year-old resident of Yolo County, CA answered his country's call and 
paid the ultimate price.
  Born in Cali, Colombia, Staff Sgt. Arroyave moved to Woodland, CA, at 
an early age and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1993. He was proud to 
be a Marine, loved the military life and had planned on making the 
military his career.
  In addition to his deployments to Iraq, Staff Sgt. Arroyave served in 
Kuwait from October 2002 until June 2003, and in Japan for 12 months in 
1999. He was the recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement 
Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the 
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas 
Ribbon.
  Staff Sgt. Arroyave was a devoted son, husband, and father. He is 
survived by his wife Rachelle, who is 3 months pregnant, daughters 
Vanessa and Natalia, all of Oceanside,

[[Page E695]]

and daughter Catie of Dixon. He leaves behind his mother, Carmenza 
Brennan of Woodland, his father Javier Arroyave of New York, and a 
loving circle of extended family.
  Staff Sgt. Arroyave died serving the country he loved, with comrades 
he loved and with the love of his wife and family in his heart. Our 
Nation is humbled and grateful for his sacrifice.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Staff 
Sgt. Jimmy Arroyave, who gave his life in service to our country.

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