[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 175 (Tuesday, October 5, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  HONORING THE LIFE, COURAGE, AND SACRIFICE OF STEWARD MATE 2ND CLASS 
                         JESUS FRANCISCO GARCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. MICHAEL F.Q. SAN NICOLAS

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 5, 2021

  Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, 
courage, and immeasurable sacrifice of Navy Steward Mate 2nd Class 
Jesus Francisco Garcia. STM2 Garcia is a fallen sailor whose 
contributions are an integral part of our community history, and the 
People of Guam will forever be indebted to him for his unwavering 
commitment to our island and nation.
  Hailing from the village of Hagatna, STM2 Garcia is a Son of Guam who 
defended our country during World War II and was among a small number 
of CHamoru men who volunteered for US military service despite a lack 
of American citizenship. With a desire to put others before self and 
swift action to answer the call of a nation in need, STM2 Garcia 
brought new meaning to the Navy attributes of initiative, 
accountability, integrity, and toughness. Further, his resolve to 
bolster American defense illustrates the historic loyalty and 
patriotism forged by CHamorus of his time and upheld by generations 
more throughout the years.
  STM2 Garcia was assigned to battleship USS Oklahoma on December 7, 
1941, and stationed at Ford Island on the fateful morning of the Pearl 
Harbor attacks. After sustaining multiple torpedo hits from Japanese 
aircraft, his ship quickly capsized and STM2 Garcia joined 428 other 
crewmembers in their final moments as the vessel quickly sunk. 
Following a three-years long remains recovery mission, internments in 
both the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries and National Memorial Cemetery 
of the Pacific in Hawaii, and extended identification efforts in 1947 
and 2015, STM2 Garcia was finally accounted for on September 25, 2018.
  Madam Speaker, after eight long decades of service and sacrifice 
without full recognition and honor, I join the Garcia family and the 
People of Guam in proudly commemorating the life and legacy of Steward 
Mate 2nd Class Jesus Francisco Garcia. He embodied true service and a 
greatness of character that is fundamental to our tradition of military 
excellence and continues to inspire the soldiers of this day. His name 
and story will forever be etched in our hearts and remembered by a 
grateful nation.

                          ____________________