[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 135 (Friday, September 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING MASTER SERGEANT JESSEY J. BACA

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2014

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise to 
honor Master Sergeant Jessey J. Baca, a dedicated service member, proud 
family man and loyal civil servant who is entering a well-deserved 
retirement.
  Jessey's burning passion for his country is a distinctive 
characteristic that he has embodied throughout his life. On October 1, 
1977, just a year before graduating high school in Los Lunas, New 
Mexico, Jessey enlisted in the United States Navy delayed entry 
program.
  Jessey went on to serve 4 years in the Navy aboard the USS Coral Sea 
CV 43 with Squadron VA 27 out of Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. 
In 1983, Jessey joined the New Mexico Air National Guard as an 
Electronics Technician in the Avionics department to work on A-7s and 
F-16 fighters. In total Jessey would spend over 37 years in military 
service and 32 years in federal service to the United States of 
America, seeing to our interests across the globe, from Belgium to 
Chile, France to Iceland, and halfway around the world to China.
  But it was Jessey's service in Iraq that would ultimately alter the 
course of his life. When Jessey returned to the United States, he was 
confronted with a multitude of ailments: everything from cancer, to 
chronic bronchiolitis, chemical induced asthma, brain lesions, TBI, 
PTSD and a host of other health complications. There was strong reason 
to believe that this was caused by exposure to burn pits in Iraq.
  As Jessey explained:

       ``Contractors were burning all the waste. Anything from 
     body parts to metal and everything in between. Computer 
     parts, batteries, whatever could go in there were burned and 
     it would burn 24-7.''

  In unprecedented fashion, Jessey spearheaded a movement to create a 
national registry for veterans affected by bum pits during their 
service. Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico, after meeting with Jessey, 
decidedly introduced the Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011 (S. 1798) 
with Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee.
  On January 10, 2013, Jessey's vision became a reality when President 
Obama signed into law legislation creating a national bum pit registry. 
The truth is that Jessey's life's work is a testament to true 
patriotism; not only did he fight and serve bravely on behalf of the 
American people, he spoke up for his fellow service members and 
successfully created lasting protections for current, and future 
veterans returning home.
  As Jessey enters his retirement, he looks forward to celebrating 
loving memories and time with his wife, and high school sweetheart, 
Maria Margaret Baca, his two girls Victoria Baca-Garcia, and Racheal 
Elizabeth Baca-Sweeney, and three grandchildren Ireland Ajai Lowe, 
Logan Kai Sweeney, and Zachary Kaikoa Garcia. Jessey's esteemed 
character, defined by selflessness, enthusiasm, and love of life are 
felt by all who know him. As he enters retirement I hope he continues 
to inspire future generations to give back as much as he has to our 
wonderful country.

                          ____________________