[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 2, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E203-E204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING BENJAMIN M. PULEX

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2022

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor an extraordinary young 
man, Benjamin M. Pulex, who was taken too soon. I include in the Record 
his family's loving tribute.

       Benjamin M. Pulex died at the age of 18 on Saturday, 
     February 26, 2022, at his Skokie home with family at his 
     side. Benjamin was born June 9, 2003, in Evanston, IL to 
     devoted parents Magnolia Rivera-Pulex and Cesar Pulex. 
     Benjamin grew up in a home filled with deep love and 
     encouragement alongside his sister, Camila Pulex. Together 
     the family prioritized values like love, respect, and 
     gratitude. These values were often cultivated by regular 
     family trips that fostered a sense of curiosity and 
     stewardship for the environment and ocean life, while also 
     turning Benjamin into a well-seasoned traveler. His annual 
     trips to visit his family in Long Beach, California led to 
     some of his greatest experiences and memories, especially 
     alongside his cousin Angelo Pulex.
       Benjamin graduated from Niles North High School (Class of 
     2021) with a group of amazing, long-time friends. Benjamin 
     and his friends enjoyed soccer scrimmaging, playing video 
     games, and eating out at local restaurants. Together (with 
     support from Benjamin's father) they also founded a local 
     soccer team, the Skokie United Futbol Team HS21.

[[Page E204]]

       After the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis 
     that Benjamin received, he showed compassion and hoped that 
     no other children would have to endure what he did. The 
     greatest protection he had during his battle with ALS was the 
     never-ending support and care given to him by his parents and 
     family. Throughout every stage of Benjamin's illness Magnolia 
     and Cesar were by his side providing the medical and 
     emotional support he needed at any hour of the morning or 
     night, while also striving to ensure that Benjamin found joy 
     in moments and activities throughout the day. Together they 
     quickly became movie and anime aficionados bonding over movie 
     classics and anime shows between treatments.
       Prior to his ALS diagnosis, Benjamin was an undergraduate 
     student at North Park University interested in pursuing 
     marine biology. He had received a private tour with the 
     University of Washington's faculty in 2021 and was personally 
     encouraged by faculty to transfer into the University of 
     Washington's Friday Harbor Laboratories program. In a world 
     full of complexity, Benjamin was the opposite--he was caring, 
     grateful, honest, and above all humble. He retained simple 
     yet abundant pleasures in life: spending time with his loving 
     family, his amazing group of friends, watching Spiderman 
     movies and anime, listening to 80's music classics, adhering 
     to his fierce loyalty to Real Madrid by watching games and 
     cheering any hour of the day, also extending that team 
     loyalty to the Seattle Seahawks, and immersing himself into 
     caring and learning more about ocean life. Benjamin had a 
     sharp sense of humor and quick wit, even making jokes and 
     playing pranks throughout his battle against ALS, staying 
     true to himself until the very end.
       Benjamin is survived by his parents, Magnolia Rivera-Pulex 
     and Cesar Pulex, his sister Camila Pulex, and a large and 
     loving extended family.

                          ____________________