[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 156 (Wednesday, December 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2479-E2480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR OF JOHN CASTELLANO, AN AMERICAN SOLDIER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANA ROHRABACHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2005

  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of a 
valiant American soldier who, through no fault of his own, never became 
an American citizen. 1st Sgt. John Castellano of New York State and 
California was worthy of becoming an American citizen. I would like to 
tell you his story.
  John Castellano was a native of Sorrento, Italy. He joined the United 
States Army in 1911. He served with the U.S. armed forces for more than 
25 years with honor and distinction. For example, Sgt. Castellano 
served admirably in World War I and the Pacific Theater of Operations. 
For his valiant service, he was awarded numerous medals and ribbons, 
including the ``West Indies Campaign'' ribbon, the VFW medal, and an 
award for bravely rescuing a man from drowning on July 21, 1921.
  Sgt. Castellano believed that he was a naturalized U.S. citizen by 
dint of his service to the United States. Unfortunately, through 
circumstances unknown to us today, he was required but failed to fill 
out the necessary documents to become a U.S. citizen. As a result, he 
did not become the American citizen that he always believed he would 
become. Today, we have members of the Armed Services who assist foreign 
members of our armed forces to become U.S. citizens. According to 
recent newspaper articles, foreign soldiers serving with coalition 
forces in Iraq can become U.S. citizens in less than six months. And it 
is right to honor those who fight and risk their lives for this great 
country. Unfortunately, no one was able to assist Sgt. John Castellano, 
an Italian immigrant, to become a naturalized U.S. citizen so many 
years ago.
  His family lives in my district. Members of the Castellano family 
learned of this tragedy only in recent years although John Castellano 
died in 1937. Since they learned of these circumstances, the family has 
been trying for several years to obtain posthumous citizenship for 
John. Unfortunately, the law does not allow John to become a U.S. 
citizen at this late date. Therefore, I am honoring Sergeant 
Castellano's service to the United States, and want to state for the 
Congressional Record that his service and heartfelt love for this 
country is commendable and makes him worthy of citizenship.

[[Page E2480]]

                       SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

  Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, agreed to by the Senate on February 
4, 1977, calls for establishment of a system for a computerized 
schedule of all meetings and hearings of Senate committees, 
subcommittees, joint committees, and committees of conference. This 
title requires all such committees to notify the Office of the Senate 
Daily Digest--designated by the Rules Committee--of the time, place, 
and purpose of the meetings, when scheduled, and any cancellations or 
changes in the meetings as they occur.
  As an additional procedure along with the computerization of this 
information, the Office of the Senate Daily Digest will prepare this 
information for printing in the Extensions of Remarks section of the 
Congressional Record on Monday and Wednesday of each week.
  Meetings scheduled for Thursday, December 8, 2005 may be found in the 
Daily Digest of today's Record.

                           MEETINGS SCHEDULED

                              DECEMBER 12
     2:30 p.m.
       Commerce, Science, and Transportation
         To hold hearings to examine the Transportation Security 
           Administration's new security procedures and changes to 
           the prohibited items list.
                                                            SD-562

                              DECEMBER 13
     9:30 a.m.
       Armed Services
         To hold closed hearings to examine the nomination of 
           Dorrance Smith, of Virginia, to be an Assistant 
           Secretary of Defense.
                                                            SR-222
     10 a.m.
       Commerce, Science, and Transportation
         To hold hearings to examine the nominations of Deborah 
           Taylor Tate, of Tennessee, and Michael Joseph Copps, of 
           Virginia, each to be a Member of the Federal 
           Communications Commission.
                                                            SD-106

                              DECEMBER 14
     9 a.m.
       Environment and Public Works
         To hold hearings to examine the Environmental Protection 
           Agency's spill prevention control and countermeasure 
           program.
                                                            SD-406
     11 a.m.
       Finance
         To hold hearings to examine the nominations of Antonio 
           Fratto, of Pennsylvania, to be Assistant Secretary of 
           the Treasury for Public Affairs, David M. Spooner, of 
           Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
           Import Administration, Vincent J. Ventimiglia, Jr., of 
           Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary of Health and Human 
           Services for Legislation, Richard T. Crowder, of 
           Virginia, to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office 
           of the United States Trade Representative, with the 
           rank of Ambassador, and Jeffrey Robert Brown, of 
           Illinois, to be a Member of Social Security Advisory 
           Board.
                                                            SD-215

                              DECEMBER 15
     10 a.m.
       Commerce, Science, and Transportation
         Business meeting to consider pending calendar business.
                                                            SD-106