[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 95 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE CITY OF SAN MATEO'S ADOPTION A COMPANY, 1ST 
    BATTALION, 327TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 1ST BRIGADE, 101ST AIRBORNE 
                               DIVISION.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2012

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the City of San Mateo for 
its adoption in 1968 of A Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry 
Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.
  In 1967 a soldier in Vietnam named Sgt. Joe Artavia wrote a letter to 
his sister, Linda, asking her to convince the City of San Mateo to 
adopt his company. He thought an adoption would lift troop morale ``as 
high as the sky.'' Linda rallied the community to support her brother 
and his comrades. Within three months the San Mateo City Council passed 
a resolution to adopt the company.
  Tragically, Artavia was killed three weeks later rescuing a fellow 
soldier, and the people of San Mateo joined together in mourning. 
Artavia's death solidified San Mateo's commitment to its adopted 
company and, in fact, in 1972 San Mateo was the only city in the United 
States to hold an official homecoming parade honoring Vietnam veterans.
  Since that time the city has continuously supported A Company, 1st 
Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne 
Division, visiting them in peacetime, establishing pen-pals and sending 
care packages. The city has served as a model for other towns, cities 
or counties to adopt individual military units throughout the country.
  San Mateo's adopted company has recently returned from a 12-month 
tour of duty in Afghanistan and will be redeployed for a third tour. In 
commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the welcome-home parade for 
the veterans returning to San Mateo, the city is holding another 
welcome home parade and festival to honor past and present soldiers of 
the 101st Airborne Division who have put their lives on the line for 
our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House of Representatives join me in 
honoring the city of San Mateo for supporting A Company, 1st Battalion, 
327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division and its 
brave men and women who filled it ranks, especially those who gave 
their lives for our freedom.

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