[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 95 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE CITY OF HILLSBOROUGH'S ADOPTION OF H&H 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. SPEIR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the City of Hillsborough for 
its adoption in 2007 of H&H 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 Patterson, 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.'' Patterson 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.
  Working with Patterson and the city of Burlingame, Hillsborough 
adopted its own company of the 101st Airborne Division in 2007. Since 
that time the city has continuously supported the H&H Company, 1st 
Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne 
Division, sending care packages, writing letters and supporting the 
families of soldiers who are deployed.
  In a few months Hillsborough's adopted company will be re-deployed 
for another tour in Afghanistan. In commemoration of the 40th 
anniversary of the original welcoming-home parade, a new parade and 
festival are being held to honor past and present soldiers of the 1st 
Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House of Representatives join me in 
honoring the city of Hillsborough for supporting HHC 1st Brigade Combat 
Team 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and its brave men and women 
who fill its ranks, especially those who gave their lives for our 
freedom.

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