[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 3, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS WILLIE BARRAZA POST 9173

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                           HON. BETO O'ROURKE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 2016

  Mr. O'ROURKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars Willie Barraza Post 9173 in my district of 
El Paso, Texas. The Post was founded in 1949 and is named after Mr. 
Willie Barraza, an Army Sergeant from an area in El Paso known as 
Smeltertown who went Missing in Action during World War II. Smeltertown 
is tied to El Paso as a historical location where workers of the 
American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) resided and from where 
many of these workers decided to serve our country during WWII. The 
Willie Barraza Post is an important veteran service organization that 
has a longstanding tradition of aiding veterans, their families and the 
El Paso community.
  The Willie Barraza Post is a leader among El Paso's veteran service 
organization community, with 300 members dedicated to serving Veterans, 
Active Duty, Reservists and their families as well as others in my 
district. The Post has helped fund and organize the VFW Voice of 
Democracy essay contest in the El Paso region, providing scholarships 
for students and a chance for these students to compete and showcase 
their writing talents at the state and national levels.
  The Willie Barraza Post also works to ensure that Service Members at 
Fort Bliss are supported. Recently, the Post adopted a regiment from 
Fort Bliss and corresponded with these Soldiers while they were 
stationed in Afghanistan. Members also honor Active Duty Service 
Members with welcome back and farewell picnics.
  I am proud to know that great veteran service organizations such as 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Willie Barraza Post 9173 are present in my 
district. The Post strives year-after-year to honor veterans, care for 
America's Service Members and their families at Fort Bliss and support 
our community, and for that I thank them.

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