[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E171-E172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN MEMORY OF THE PASSING OF COLONEL ANGEL LUIS FLORES-VELLIDO, 
                     DECORATED PUERTO RICAN VETERAN

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                     HON. JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2021

  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory 
of one of the many brave Puerto Ricans who have served our nation in 
our Armed Forces, the late Colonel Angel Luis Flores-Vellido.
  For over a hundred years, the soldiers from Puerto Rico have proved 
themselves second to none in battle, side by side with their comrades 
from across the nation. Colonel Flores-Vellido distinguished himself in 
a long military career, among the hundreds of thousands of American 
citizens from Puerto Rico who stepped forward and served under the 
nation's flag, in defense of its security and national interest around 
the world, in wartime and in peacetime.
  Angel Flores-Vellido served the nation starting in the Puerto Rico 
National Guard in the late 1950s and then the Regular Army as an 
Artillery Officer and Foreign Area Officer, completing higher military 
studies at the Command and General Staff College and the Army War 
College. His service spanned from Vietnam to Central and South America, 
to the Joint Chiefs at the Pentagon and the CIA under President George 
H.W. Bush, with achievements that earned him numerous high awards, 
commendations and decorations including the Legion of Merit, Bronze 
Star, Air Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Joint Service 
Commendation and many others, before taking his well-earned retirement 
in 1993.
  Throughout his career and in his retirement, he exemplified 
patriotism and the finest traditions and values of military service and 
personal honor.
  Colonel Flores-Vellido passed away earlier this week and will be laid 
to rest in Dallas, Texas. He shall be remembered, with his comrades in 
arms from the past and from the present, for adding to the pages of our 
history and proving the worth of the Puerto Rican soldier.
  We share the sorrow of his family and friends on his passing, at the 
same time as we celebrate a life of service and commitment.
  Today we honor his memory and his service and reaffirm our commitment 
to do justice for our veterans and their families for all they have 
done for us.

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