[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S6296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SGT RUSSELL J. VERDUGO

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I rise in honor of a fallen 
soldier who has paid the highest price in defense our freedom, SSG 
Russell J. Verdugo of the 767th Ordnance Company died on the 23rd of 
May, 2005 in Baghdad, Iraq when an improvised explosive device 
detonated as he was responding to a call to dismantle the bomb. I would 
like to take this moment to salute his patriotism and his sacrifice.
  Russell Verdugo deserves the highest gratitude of this body and the 
entire Nation. His sacrifice reminds us that freedom is so precious 
because of its incredibly high cost. My prayers go out to his mother, 
Susan Stanley, and his wife, Kari, who grieve the loss of a son and a 
husband and to all of the family, friends, and neighbors who are 
touched by his passing. I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering 
Sergeant Verdugo. The love of country and the dedication to service 
shared by many of it citizens is the great strength of our Nation, and 
we can all be very proud of patriots such as Russell Verdugo.

                          ____________________