[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 77 (Friday, June 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 3, 2004

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the men and women 
who sacrifice their lives every day in support of our nation as members 
of the armed services, both in times of peace and war. In the two and a 
half years since our nation was attacked, the service of America's 
armed services has been priceless--both in helping defend America at 
home and serving abroad. We should be thankful and grateful to all 
service members.
  This Memorial Day marks the dedication of the World War II memorial 
in Washington, DC, the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion at 
Normandy, and the 60th anniversary of the passage of the GI Bill of 
Rights. We recall with love and gratitude the 16.1 million that served 
in World War II and remember the 292,000 service members killed in 
action. Today our government provides care and services to the hundreds 
of thousands of disabled veterans of World War II.
  While today we reflect on our veterans that have fought and our 
troops that serve, we must also commit ourselves to ensuring better 
lives for these people and their families. I will continue to fight to 
protect and honor our troops and their families. We must guarantee 
health care, adequate burial and bereavement services, support services 
for military families, and financial security to those who serve this 
nation.
  As we take time this Memorial Day to remember our service men and 
women, I am sad to add the names of six fallen heroes from my community 
to those whose lives we celebrate and deaths we mourn. Marine Corporal 
Jorge A. Gonzalez, Army Sergeant Atanasio Haro Marin, Army Private 
First Class Jose Casanova, Marine Private First Class Francisco A. 
Martinez Flores, Army Specialist Leroy Harris-Kelly III, and Marine 
Corporal Rudy Salas are among the more than 700 service members that 
have died fighting in Iraq. Their service to this community and to this 
nation will not be forgotten.

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