[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 15889]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 ON THE DEDICATION OF THE YSMAEL R. VILLEGAS MIDDLE SCHOOL, RIVERSIDE, 
                               CALIFORNIA

 Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, on September 6, the new Ysmael R. 
Villegas Middle School will be dedicated in Riverside, CA. This day 
will hold a particularly special meaning for the people of Riverside, 
as this new school is named for one of the community's most 
distinguished military heroes, Staff Sgt. Ysmael R. Villegas, an 
Hispanic-American killed in the line of duty during World War II. He 
died only one day before his 21st birthday and received the 
Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery.
  Sergeant Villegas, a resident of Casa Blanca in the Riverside 
community, received the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor for 
his valiant bravery while defending our country in the Philippines. His 
citation, in part, reads:

       He moved boldly from man to man, in the face of bursting 
     grenades and demolition charges, through heavy machinegun and 
     rifle fire, to bolster the spirit of his comrades. As he 
     neared his goal, he was hit and killed by enemy fire. Through 
     his heroism and indomitable fighting spirit, Staff Sergeant 
     Villegas, at the cost of his life, inspired his men to a 
     determined attack in which they swept the enemy from the 
     field.

  It is clear from these words that Sergeant Villegas was truly a great 
American war hero. The people of Riverside have every reason to 
memorialize him and I am pleased that the Alvord Unified School 
District will give him this lasting legacy.
  As the Alvord Unified School District and the City of Riverside 
celebrate the dedication of the Ysmael R. Villegas Middle School, I 
extend my best wishes to all those who made this important day 
possible. As students enter the classrooms of this institution, they 
can hold their heads high knowing that their school bears the name of 
such a wonderful model of courage, dignity and integrity.

                          ____________________