[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 95 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME'S ADOPTION OF B 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 Burlingame for 
its adoption in 2007 of B 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, the city of Burlingame adopted its own 
company of the 101st Airborne Division in 2003. Since that time the 
city has continuously supported B Company, 1st Battalion, 327th 
Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, visiting them 
in peacetime, establishing pen-pals and sending care packages.
  In a few months Burlingame'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 will 
be 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 Burlingame for supporting B Company, 1st 
Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne 
Division and its brave men and women who fill its ranks, especially 
those who gave their lives for our freedom.

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