[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 27, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                 TRIBUTE TO CHIEF SERGEANT IVAN M. RUIZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RONNY JACKSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 27, 2022

  Mr. JACKSON. Madam Speaker, today I recognize a lifetime of service 
and the retirement of Chief Master Sergeant Ivan Miguel Ruiz, a native 
of the great State of Texas. After 26 years of service as an Air Force 
Pararescueman, CMSgt Ruiz is relinquishing the responsibilities as 
Chief Enlisted Manager 58th Rescue Squadron, 563rd Operations Group, 
355th Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The Air 
Force has consistently relied upon Ivan's exceptional leadership and 
unparalleled work ethic. He has led our Nation's men and women both 
overseas and at home, leading numerous joint combat rescue and 
humanitarian operations around the world. Ivan has excelled in numerous 
other leadership positions in the Air Force, as well as becoming a 
physical fitness legend in the Special Warfare Community.
  The Pararescue Creed is ``It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save 
life and aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my 
assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placingthese duties before 
personal desires and comforts. These things I'do, that others may 
live.'' Ivan committed these words to every aspect of his career and 
especially displayed them during a nighttime operation in Afghanistan 
on December 10, 2013. During a raid in Kandahar Province, Sergeant Ruiz 
engaged and neutralized four insurgents, becoming isolated from his 
element. Sergeant Ruiz and two teammates quickly encountered insurgent 
crossfire. Sergeant Ruiz eliminated one enemy fighting position; 
however, enemy fire wounded his two comrades, rendering them immobile 
and exposed to the enemy. Sergeant Ruiz courageously pressed ahead 
through intense small arms fire and grenades to reach his wounded 
comrades. He successfully brought them back to a covered position, 
where he administered life-saving trauma care to his teammates. The 
heroic actions of Sergeant Ruiz saved the lives of two teammates and 
contributed to the elimination of eleven insurgents. Through his 
extraordinary heroism, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, 
this native Texan was awarded the Air Force Cross, the United States 
Air Force's second highest military decoration for Airmen who 
distinguish themselves with extraordinary heroism in combat with an 
armed enemy force.
  On November 1st of this year, Ivan will retire back to the great 
State of Texas. On behalf of the entire Congress and a grateful Nation, 
I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Chief Master 
Sergeant Ruiz for his outstanding leadership and unwavering support for 
the missions of this nation. I would like to also recognize the 
dedicated service of Ivan's family to our country. His mother, 
Josefina, a civil servant, his father, MSG Ruiz, USA, Ret., his 
siblings, SFC Aerial Ruiz, USA, Ret., MAJ Elizabeth Ruiz, USA, MAJ Ino 
Ruiz, USA, and Lt Jazmin Reed, USN, and SrA Charles White, USAF, all 
have served or are serving honorably. I would also like to recognize 
his supportive and loving wife of 12 years, Mrs. Maria Ruiz, and their 
children, Jason, Sofia, Elijah, and Elena. I wish the Ruiz family safe 
travels back to Texas, and I look forward to seeing Ivan continue to 
excel as he enters his next chapter.

                          ____________________