[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 194 (Tuesday, December 18, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H16649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ARMED SERVICES AND NATURALIZED CITIZENS

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize all our service men 
and women, especially those celebrating the holiday season away from 
their families and friends. This past Saturday, I had the honor of 
welcoming home 200 soldiers who served in the 115th U.S. Army Unit 
located and based out of South El Monte. These are two young gentlemen 
that I happened to meet earlier this year in Iraq on a recent visit. I 
was delighted to see that they were home. Many had already spent two or 
three tours there. In fact, I would like to have the House recognize 
that there are over 600,000 immigrants currently serving in our 
Nation's Armed Forces; 35,000 of those have pledged their service and 
loyalty to our country in spite of not being citizens.
  I am particularly proud of this young gentleman, Jose Diaz, a 
resident in the 32nd Congressional District, who came, communicated in 
my office and said, Congresswoman, I want to become a citizen. We 
helped to expedite his paperwork while he was serving abroad. I was 
also happy to see him this Saturday at a homecoming for his family.
  I say this today to you, Members, because in the holiday season, we 
need to remember all of our brave soldiers, men and women who are 
currently serving us across the country, and I would ask all of you to 
please remember them in your prayers.




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