[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 172 (Thursday, December 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1795-E1796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING JOSE R. ESCOBEDO III

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BETO O'ROURKE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 5, 2013

  Mr. O'ROURKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Sgt. Jose R. 
Escobedo, Jr. III. Born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Mr. Escobedo became a 
United States Citizen with the intention of enlisting in the United 
States Marine Corps. During over 10 years of service in the armed 
forces, Sargent Escobedo served in both the Marines and the Army and he 
served courageously during two tours of duty in Iraq.
  Jose Escobedo graduated from Bowie High School in El Paso in 1995. 
After high school, he decided to join the Marines and served for nearly 
9 years. After his honorable discharge, he worked for the city of 
Albuquerque in the Department of Transportation, but he missed the 
military. Eager to continue his service, ``SGT Esco,'' as friends 
called him, decided to join the Army and after training he was assigned 
to 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment in Schweinfurt, 
Germany.
  On November 19, 2008, Sargent Escobedo deployed to Iraq for the third 
time. Despite being in a combat zone, Jose was known by his fellow 
soldiers as a kind individual with a positive outlook on life that was 
infectious. He passed away on March 19, 2009 in Baghdad and at the age 
of 32.
  Mr. Escobedo is survived by his wife, Angelica, and their three 
children, Elvida, Jose, and Mikey. He is interned in Fort Bliss 
National Cemetery in El Paso. The dedication with which he served our 
nation for so many years is an inspiration. El Paso misses Jose 
Escobedo and we are proud to honor him as a hero who made the ultimate 
sacrifice in service to the United States.

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