[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 103 (Thursday, July 18, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     SAFE RETURN OF ARMANDO TORRES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 2013

  Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to join my colleagues in urging 
the State Department and the government of Mexico to do everything that 
they possibly can to ensure the safe return of Armando Torres.
  It has been over two months since Armando was taken captive by armed 
gunmen while visiting his father in Mexico. A native of South Texas, 
Armando served 7 years in the Marine Corps including combat tours in 
Iraq. Though he survived a war zone, a greater threat to his safety 
came closer to home when he drove across the Los Indios Bridge into 
Mexico.
  What should have been an uneventful trip became a nightmare for the 
Torres family when Armando has kidnapped. This is a sadly all too 
common occurrence in Mexico with as many as 70 kidnappings occurring 
every day.
  The cartel violence in Mexico has had a profound impact on the entire 
nation with over 60,000 killed.
  The unprecedented level of violence has greatly affected the United 
States as well. Relations with our neighbor to the south have been 
strained as the free flow of lawful commerce and visitors has been 
threatened by crime and illegal trafficking. Over 600 U.S. citizens 
have been murdered in Mexico. We talk about the Global War on Terror, 
but the cartel violence in Mexico has proven to be a far more deadly 
threat. We cannot and we will not sit idly by and watch our ally Mexico 
fight this war alone. We are committed to working together to address 
the problems which face our two nations.
  The number of victims of this deadly war is staggering, but Armando 
Torres is not just a statistic. He is not just one of the victims of 
the cartel violence which has ravaged Mexico. He is a Marine, a son, a 
nephew, a cousin, a husband, and a father. And our nation must do 
everything in our power to bring him home.
  I stand with my colleagues in the United States Congress today in 
support of Armando. We will not rest until he is returned safely to his 
family and friends.

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