[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E97]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





    LANCE CORPORAL DAVID LEE ESPINOZA, LANCE CORPORAL JUAN RODRIGO 
     RODRIGUEZ & SERGEANT ROBERTO ARIZOLA JR. POST OFFICE BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 29, 2024

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2754, 
which designates a U.S. Postal Facility in Laredo, Texas as the `Lance 
Corporal David Lee Espinoza, Lance Corporal Juan Rodrigo Rodriguez & 
Sergeant Roberto Arizola Jr. Post Office Building.'
  This bill honors the lives of three Texas men who selflessly gave 
their lives in support of our Nation's freedom and in defense of our 
nation's people.
  These three brave soldiers, Lance Corporal Espinoza, born in 2001, 
Lance Corporal Rodriguez, born in 1981, and Sergeant Roberto Arizola, 
Jr., born in 1973, all called the great city of Laredo, Texas their 
home.
  Lance Corporal Espinoza joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2019.
  As a U.S. Marine, Espinoza never once complained about his 
assignment, taking to heart the late President Kennedy's words in his 
inaugural address: ``Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what 
you can do for your country.''
  He gave his life in action on August 26, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan, 
protecting and defending the community and the Nation we treasured so 
dearly.
  Espinoza leaves behind his parents, three siblings, his grandmother, 
and numerous other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
  Lance Corporal Rodriguez joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003.
  Rodriguez was dedicated to taking care of his family his whole life.
  Before joining the Marine Corps, he worked at a pawn shop to provide 
for his parents, who were too ill to work.
  During his deployment, he continued to call his parents regularly, 
last speaking to them only two days before his death on January 13, 
2005, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
  He leaves behind his cherished sister and two parents.
  Sergeant Roberto Arizola, Jr. joined the U.S. Army in 1996.
  Arizola was, first and foremost, a family man.
  He loved to play video games and sports with his 7-year-old son, and 
his family often delayed the boy's birthday party so Arizola could be 
there.
  As a soldier, his comrades knew him to be a loyal friend, an older 
brother, and a faithful man.
  He gave his life on June 8, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, serving the 
country and protecting the family that he loved so much.
  He leaves behind his wife, his son, and his brother.
  These three brave young men each made the ultimate sacrifice to 
protect the freedom that we enjoy today.
  I am always proud to stand in solidarity with our nation's veterans 
and to fight to protect the legacy they have built in service for our 
nation.
  Now, we must ensure that their legacies are not forgotten.
  As such, I rise in support of this bill, which honors their memories 
by designating the Post Office facility in Laredo, Texas as the `Lance 
Corporal David Lee Espinoza, Lance Corporal Juan Rodrigo Rodriguez & 
Sergeant Roberto Arizola Jr. Post Office Building.'

                          ____________________