[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 60 (Friday, April 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E462-E463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF ADOLFO ``HARPO'' CELAYA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 13, 2018

  Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Adolfo ``Harpo'' 
Celaya, who passed away on April 12th, at the age of 90. Harpo Celaya 
enlisted in the Navy at the age of 16 to serve his country in World War 
II. He was only 17 when the ship he was stationed aboard, the USS 
Indianapolis, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. The ship sank in 
12 minutes plunging Celaya and hundreds of his fellow sailors into the 
sea where they clung to sparse life vests or rafts, battling 
dehydration, exposure, and shark infested waters for more than four 
days awaiting rescue. Of the nearly 1,200 sailors that had been 
stationed aboard the USS Indianapolis, only 317 survived and were 
pulled from the sea.
  Mr. Celaya was awarded the Purple Heart and upon recovery returned to 
Arizona and continued a lifetime of service in his community. He is 
well known throughout Arizona for sharing his experiences with high 
school students as part of the Veterans Heritage Project in an effort 
to keep history alive.
  In 2016, I was pleased that President Obama signed into law my bill, 
H.R. 6304, which renamed that post office at 501 North Main Street in 
Florence, Arizona in Mr. Celaya's honor. Adolfo Celaya's incredible 
story will now be officially and permanently commemorated in his 
hometown of Florence, Arizona. This legislation ensures that future

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generations will learn about the incredible sacrifice that Mr. Celaya 
and the 317 survivors of the USS Indianapolis made for our country.
  Despite living through one of the darkest moments of WWII, Mr. Celaya 
has continued to inspire countless Arizonans through his eternal 
patriotism and commitment to serving all Americans. I would like to 
commend the Town of Florence for their leadership in making this 
tribute possible and recognize Mr. Celaya for his dedicated sacrifice 
to our nation and commitment to his local community.

                          ____________________