[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 71 (Monday, May 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS FOR DECIDING TO SERVE THE 
        UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 2013

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor fifty-four high 
school seniors in Camden County for their commendable decision to 
enlist in the United States Armed Forces. Of these fifty-four, twenty 
have joined the Army: Kristina King, Leroy Jones, Thomas Harkin, 
Kristopher Ponce, Laura Aune, Page Scarretto, Anthony Andrews, Michael 
Whelan, Cordeiro Dougherty, Travis Daniels, Jose Acevedo, Marco Medina, 
Samuel Adames, Harley Marks, Spencer Barber, Quiomy Abelaria, Fernando 
Santiago, Zachariah Gill, Michael Brown, and Isaiah Johnson. Four have 
joined the Navy: Dioned Gonzalez-Cabral, James Lewis, Linh Tran, and 
Petrell Vereen. Three have joined the Air Force: Brandon Nataro, 
Salvatore Mannino, and Kyle Bedwell. Twenty-three have joined the 
Marine Corps: Joseph Rodano Jr., Richard Sheldon, Adam Dobson, 
Christopher Taylor, Andrew Morgan, Tristen Boggs, Kevin Dickson, 
Christian Dobush, David Groff, Timothy Leadley, Allen Reid, Gregory 
Sycz, Walter Holloway, Detaniel Jackson, Garrett Mercer, Jose Baez-
Claudio, Pabel Arrizaga, David Pellot, Jesus Ortega, Justin Benejan, 
Eric Regensberger, Roy Ensign, and Evan Magargel. And four have joined 
the New Jersey National Guard: Tucker Patten, Trinidad Rodolfo, Alicea 
Yolanda, and Brendann Murphy. All fifty-four will also be recognized on 
May 21st at ``Our Community Salutes of South Jersey.''
  Later this month, these young men and women will join their 
classmates in celebration of graduation. At a time when many of their 
peers are looking forward to pursuing vocational training or college 
degrees, they instead have chosen to dedicate themselves to military 
service in defense of our country. They should rest assured that the 
full support and resources of this chamber, and of the American people, 
are with them in whatever challenges may lie ahead.
  It is thanks to the dedication of untold numbers of patriots like 
these fifty-four that we are able to meet here today, in the House of 
Representatives, and openly debate the best solutions to the many and 
diverse problems that confront our country. It is thanks to their 
sacrifices that the United States of America remains a beacon of hope 
and freedom in a fractious world.
  Mr. Speaker, their decision to serve our country will not go 
unrecognized. I want to personally thank these fifty-four graduating 
seniors for the selflessness and courage that they have shown by 
volunteering to risk their lives in defense of others. We owe them, 
along with all those who serve our country, a deep debt of gratitude.

                          ____________________