[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 140 (Monday, December 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  LOSS OF U.S. ARMY CPL ISAAC E. DIAZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 20, 2004

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great American 
patriot, U.S. Army CPL Isaac E. Diaz, of Rio Hondo, Texas, who gave the 
last full measure of devotion to the country he loved and served when 
he was killed in Afghanistan on December 1, 2004.
  He served with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th 
Infantry Division (Light) from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He had been 
driving military vehicles in the Army for several years.
  Like so many young people, Corporal Diaz wanted to find a way to go 
to college, so he joined the military in 1998, after graduating from 
Rio Hondo High School. Yet, the 26-year-old never enrolled in college. 
He was killed in Sharona, Afghanistan, when his Humvee rolled over 
while on routine patrol in the Paktika province.
  In a sad--but brave--irony, after Corporal Diaz completed his initial 
three-year tour of duty at Fort Campbell, KY, he reenlisted for another 
four years to financially support his wife, Amber, and their infant 
son, Aaron.
  Those that knew him well in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas spoke of 
his quiet intensity and his hard-working nature. The Rio High School 
Principal, Juan Montez, remembered Corporal Diaz as a studious 
teenager, the sort of student educators enjoyed having in class.
  He worked hard and didn't complain. He was an excellent soldier. He 
was serving in the front of this war that is closest to the hiding 
places of Osama bin Laden and the al Qaida leaders who plotted the 
attack on this nation on September 11, 2001.
  Corporal Diaz's service was honorable, as was his life. We all mourn 
the loss of this young American, whose life was cut short, leaving a 
hole in our hearts and forever altering his young family.
  I want Corporal Diaz's son, Aaron, who is too young now to understand 
the depth of his father's sacrifice, to one day appreciate that his 
father loved this country--and him--enough to go in harm's way to 
protect our democracy.
  I ask my colleagues to remember this great patriot, his sacrifice on 
behalf of all of us, and the family he leaves behind in South Texas.

                          ____________________