[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 23, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H4881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REMEMBERING PRIVATE FIRST CLASS GEORGE D. TORRES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and pay 
tribute to all of the brave men and women across the nation who have 
given their lives in defense of the freedoms we enjoy every single day, 
and all who leave behind families who miss their sons and daughters.
  I'd like to speak specifically about the life of one of my 
constituents, Private First Class George D. Torres, who was recently 
killed in combat in Iraq.
  Private Torres was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine 
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp 
Pendleton. He was only 23 years old at the time of his death, and was 
killed in Al Anbar Province, Iraq due to enemy fire.
  Mr. Speaker, the fifth of sixth children, Private First Class Torres 
joined the Corps in march of last year, and had just been overseas a 
month before his death.
  As our soldiers, who removed Saddam Hussein from power, aim to 
protect the peace while a transitional democratic government run by the 
people of Iraq is being established, our troops are in a very dangerous 
situation.
  Mr. Speaker, George was aware of the realities of military service, 
but always wanted to join the Marines, and ``was very proud'' after he 
returned to school and earned the high school diploma he needed to 
enlist, telling his sister that if he had to go serve in Iraq, then 
he'd go.
  A Dodger's fan, he was known for his outgoing personality and in the 
words of his girlfriend, ``was the best person in this world.''
  A memorial Web site set up for George Torres has received numerous 
emails, which is a testament to the strong relationships George built 
during his all-too-short lifetime.
  His loving family, sisters Oralia Cisnernos, Olga and Evelyn Torres, 
brothers Fernando Torres Jr. and Francisco Torres, and his parents, 
Fernando and Genoveda Torres, survive Torres.
  I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of 
Private First Class Torres, and my thoughts and prayers are with his 
family during this difficult time. George's valiant service to his 
country will be greatly remembered.
  We owe him a great deal of gratitude for his service to a country he 
loved.

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