[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 157 (Thursday, December 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2486-E2487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JUAN ARECHIGA, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2005

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Juan 
Arechiga, Sr., a decorated World War II veteran and lifelong resident 
of Laredo, Texas who passed away Saturday, December 3, 2005.

[[Page E2487]]

  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Arechiga was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a 
member of Company F, 333rd Infantry, serving in the Rhineland and 
Central Europe. He served bravely from November 25, 1942 to December 9, 
1945, when he was honorably discharged.
  For his dedication while in the service, he received the American 
Theater Campaign Ribbon, the EAME Campaign Ribbon with three bronze 
stars and a Good Conduct Medal.
  Mr. Arechiga was an electrician who was one of the founding members 
of the Laredo Electrical Association which was formed in 1948. As his 
business expanded, he developed a construction firm that was contracted 
to build the first Sears and Roebuck buildings in Barcelona, Spain and 
San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  When he returned to Laredo, he became a well-known residential 
contractor and established his own local construction company. Mr. 
Arechiga was an important part of Laredo's growth in the late 1970's 
and we are proud to have had such a respected person as a citizen of 
Laredo.

                          ____________________