[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12234-12235]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF PETE C. JARAMILLO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 23, 2002, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) is recognized 
during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor and personal privilege 
to stand before you to pay tribute to one of our bravest and finest 
Americans, Pete C. Jaramillo, a loving father and grandfather, devoted 
son and brother, courageous soldier, loyal civil servant and great 
human being.
  Pete C. Jaramillo of Belen, New Mexico, passed away on April 26, 
2002, after a long illness. He will be remembered for his quiet 
strength, gentle manner, humility, deep compassion, kindness, and his 
dignity. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Mr. 
Jaramillo was born in Arroyo Colorado (Red Canyon), New Mexico, a small 
community in the Manzano Mountains. He was the first son and one of 
nine children born to Aurelia Chavez and Andres Jaramillo. Like many 
children reared in the 1920s and early 1930s, the Great Depression 
forced Mr. Jaramillo to grow up quickly. Economic hardships were 
abundant, and there was always someone's situation that was worse than 
his. The Depression taught Jaramillo the importance of helping others, 
and throughout his life he was known to lend a helping hand to those in 
need.
  In 1941, at the age of 17, Mr. Jaramillo joined President Franklin 
Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps Camp, a New Deal program 
designed to create jobs and rebuild America's roads and infrastructure. 
He and his troop of Company 2867, Camp SCS-27-N, maintained New 
Mexico's treasured forests and streams. As a devoted son and brother, 
he shared his meager wages with his family.
  During World War II, Mr. Jaramillo was called to serve his country. 
After completing his basic and advanced infantry training at Fort 
Bliss, Texas, he was deployed to Europe where the Germans had invaded 
the Allies. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, U.S. servicemen landed on Omaha 
Beach in France. Jaramillo was among the first wave of servicemen who 
landed on Omaha Beach. Unlike countless troops,

[[Page 12235]]

Jaramillo survived the Normandy invasion only to be severely wounded by 
a hand grenade 6 weeks later. He was hospitalized for 4 months before 
returning to the U.S.
  His near fatal wounds affected him all the days of his life. By the 
age of 20, Mr. Jaramillo's decorations and citations included the 
Combat Infantry Badge, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service 
Badge, the Good Conduct Badge, the Victory Medal, and the Purple Heart, 
which he received when he was wounded on July 12, 1944. On August 19, 
2000, Mr. Jaramillo received the Jubilee Medal of Liberty issued by the 
Governor of Normandy, publicly recognizing the sacrifice and service of 
veterans who served in the Normandy invasion between June 6 and August 
31, 1944.
  ``I am very proud to receive this recognition and I am thinking about 
the men who went to France and never returned,'' said Jaramillo in his 
acceptance remarks. Upon his honorable discharge in 1946, Jaramillo 
returned to his home in New Mexico. In 1947 he married Jennie Vallejos, 
a friend of his two sisters, Sally and Aurora, and together they raised 
four daughters and two sons: Ida May, Pete Jr., Maria Rita, Maria 
Leonella (Nellie), David, and Lynda. He also had four grandchildren: 
Eddie Jaramillo, Jason Griego, and Billy and Selena Manzanares.
  He was a good provider, devoted father, grandfather and son-in-law. 
Jaramillo served as a surrogate father to numerous nieces and nephews, 
providing guidance and support. In 1980, Mr. Jaramillo retired after 
completing 30 years of Federal service. He received many commendations 
for his outstanding performance and rarely missed a day of work. His 
last assignment was with Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New 
Mexico.
  Mr. Jaramillo enjoyed the simple things in life, his family, the sun 
upon his face, grape juice, chocolate, a country breakfast and, yes, 
Sunday drives. An avid reader, he liked to keep up with current events. 
Above everything, Pete exemplified a life of doing unto others as you 
would have them do unto you.
  May he rest in peace.

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