[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN MEMORY OF ARMY SGT. DANIEL TORRES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2005

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage of a 
young hero from my district. On February 4, 2005, the Department of 
Defense declared that Sergeant Daniel Torres (United States Army, 3rd 
Infantry Division) was killed in the line of duty when a roadside bomb 
exploded near his vehicle 140 miles north of Baghdad. Torres enlisted 
in the army following 9-11 and was planning to save up for college. He 
wanted to study marketing and international business and also had 
dreams of becoming a police officer.
  His friends describe Torres as spiritual, someone who encouraged his 
friends to stay strong when they were down, and who was a role model to 
his peers.
  He was also devoted to his family. He played catch with his younger 
sister Christina to help her improve her softball skills, which she 
says played a part in her recently receiving an athletic scholarship to 
a community college in Louisiana. He also had just found out that he 
was about to become a father and was ecstatic at the prospect.
  Torres had been deployed to Iraq at the beginning of the war and 
remained there for seven months before his unit was sent back home. 
Torres' unit was deployed again to Iraq this January for another tour. 
Torres' father said his son had a gut instinct that he might not return 
home this time and told his family at Christmas that if he didn't 
return home, he would die doing what he was called to do. He told his 
parents that he was fighting for the children or Iraq, so that they and 
other Iraqis his age could have a better life and a better future. He 
also told them to be strong and have faith in God.
  It is qualities of incredible courage, strength and pride in serving 
his country that we see in young heroes like Daniel Torres that makes 
us appreciate the freedoms we have here at home. I am proud to honor 
Sergeant Torres' service to the state of Texas where he entered the 
service, and to the United States of America. He will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________