[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO CORPORAL THOMAS JAMES HERRERA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2008

  Mr. FORBES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Cpl. Thomas 
Herrera, who enlisted in the United States Army on September 12, 2007. 
Cpl. Herrera's notable career spans 18 years, and his record of 
achievements during this period reflects greatly upon himself and upon 
the organizations with which he has served.
  A native of Austin, Texas, Cpl. Herrera has followed a diverse career 
path of increasing responsibility culminating in his enlistment into 
the U.S. Army. Mr. Herrera is currently serving as Corporal at Fort 
Lee, Virginia. Previously, Cpl. Herrera served in the Army National 
Guard in the States of Massachusetts and Nevada from 2006-2007, when he 
began active Federal service. From 1987-1990, he served in the U.S. Air 
Force.
  From 1990-1991, Cpl. Herrera worked for the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Bureau of the Census as a Computer Operator. Following this, 
he took a position as Human Resource Assistant for the Governor of 
Texas from 1991-1996. Cpl. Herrera left government service in 1996 to 
begin a near ten-year journey in academia, earning commendable 
credentials that prepared him for his future military and government 
service.
  In May 2001, Cpl. Herrera graduated from the University of Texas at 
Dallas with a BA in Government Politics. In May 2002, he graduated from 
the Southern Methodist University with a MLA in Liberal Arts/History. 
Finally, in December 2005, Cpl. Herrera concluded his academic journey 
with an MA in Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of 
Texas at Arlington.
  Cpl. Herrera has also taken it upon himself to become fluent in 
Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Russian. Additionally, he has a 
working knowledge of Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
  Cpl. Herrera is married to the former Kasi Ann Roberts of 
Jacksonville, North Carolina. They were married on March 10, 2006 and 
have one daughter, Emma Belen Herrera, born on February 2, 2006. Mrs. 
Herrera's parents reside in Sherman, Texas. Although Cpl. Herrera's 
parents are deceased, he has close family that reside in Austin and 
Dallas, Texas.
  Throughout his life, Cpl. Herrera has overcome poverty and hardship 
in an effort to meet incredible personal goals and objectives.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Corporal Thomas James 
Herrera, for his commitment to academic and professional success. He is 
a remarkable public servant who has served our Nation and epitomized 
the dedication and professionalism that make our military a model all 
over the world.

                          ____________________