[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 17178-17179]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  PAYING TRIBUTE TO TOMAS SOTELO, JR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay a 
posthumous tribute to Tomas Sotelo, Jr., one of the fallen sons of the 
18th Congressional District in Houston, Texas, whose funeral today was 
commemorated and celebrated by his family and friends and by the city 
and by those who loved him.
  Tomas Sotelo, Jr., Army corporal, lost his life in Iraq on June 27, 
2003, fighting for the values and virtues of this Nation. This young 
man, barely 21 years old, lost his life in battle. Today was his 
funeral at his beloved Reagan High School, and I had the honor of 
saluting him at that service.
  But more than that, I think it is appropriate to come today to raise 
up this young man for he was well admired and respected. In getting to 
know his family during this very troubling and trying time, I can say 
they love this country; and this family gave the ultimate sacrifice, 
their loving baby son.
  Corporal Sotelo is immediately survived by Mr. and Mrs. Tomas Sotelo, 
Sr.; his brother, Jose; and his sisters, First Lieutenant Flor Lopez 
and Erica. Sitting in their living room, I got to know the family and 
heard them talk about the love and friendship and fellowship that this 
family engaged in. I heard the mother tell me that she had spoken to 
her son just 3 days before his death, that he always told them that he 
missed them and he loved them. He was never far from their hearts and 
minds.
  Mr. Speaker, it is important that we be reminded as we stand in this 
body that we have an obligation to those young men and women who now 
are in Baghdad. We have an obligation to them to be reminded of their 
willingness without question to give the ultimate sacrifice, and we owe 
them not only the tribute and salute on the day of their death and 
funeral, we owe them a tribute as we conduct ourselves in determining 
the future that holds for this country and for Iraq.
  I am told by Tomas' friends that he was a person of great humor, 
always lively and always engaging in some activity to make people smile 
or laugh. He loved Reagan High School, and graduated in the year 2000. 
He was a member of the ROTC. Let me say how proud I was to be able to 
have worked with the family to hold his funeral ceremonies at Reagan 
High School. I thank the Houston Independent School District for their 
courtesies in making every arrangement for that to be possible today.

                              {time}  2000

  Let me acknowledge his grandparents, who traveled more than 24 hours 
by bus from Mexico to be with his family. And let me acknowledge the 
fact that though this family may not have had its original origins in 
this Nation, they stand equal to any of us by having given the ultimate 
sacrifice, the loss of their young and their most beloved son.
  So, Mr. Speaker, it is with great humbleness, great sorrow that I 
express on behalf of the United States Congress our deepest sympathy, 
for on this day there are conflicting emotions, the emotions of having 
lost its fallen son and hero, a recipient of the Purple Heart and 
Bronze Medal for his heroic achievements, and, of course, the ultimate 
sacrifice. And yet I stand here representing the fact that this young 
man, this Army corporal, Tomas Sotelo, Jr., was a hero of the 18th 
Congressional District of the State of Texas and, yes, the Nation. And 
might I say as he was a member of the Howitzer Battery, Squadron 2, 
Armored Cavalry Regiment from Fort Polk, Louisiana, that as he lays 
with the angels, we will not forget him, and we will simply thank him 
and bid farewell to this young man, dying in the prime of his life, 
being reminded that we will never forget him and that we will continue 
to thank his family for the ultimate sacrifice that they made.
  Might I say, Mr. Speaker, in closing that he remains a true American 
hero,

[[Page 17179]]

and we will tell his story over and over again so the young people of 
his high school will know that a hero walked this way.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Army Corporal Tomas 
Sotelo, Jr., a hero to the people of the 18th Congressional District of 
Texas and to the people of the United States of America.
  Corporal Sotelo died last week while valiantly serving his country in 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Corporal Sotelo served his country as a member 
of the Howitzer Battery, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 
from Fort Polk, LA. Corporal Sotelo is also a cherished resident of 
Houston, TX.
  Since his days as a youth in Houston, Corporal Sotelo has been 
dedicated to serving Americans as a member of our uniformed services. 
He was a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Reagan High 
School in Houston, TX, where he received his high school degree. 
Dedicated service runs deep in the Sotelo family. Corporal Sotelo's 
sister is a First Lieutenant in the Armed Services as well.
  As with every brave member of our military who has died in service to 
our country, the United States of America owes Corporal Sotelo an 
immeasurable debt of gratitude. His willingness to put himself at risk 
to create a world of peace will never be forgotten. He made the 
ultimate sacrifice by giving his life in service to our Nation during 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, and he has contributed immeasurably to the 
freedom and security of both Iraq and the world.
  Corporal Sotelo epitomizes the best of the United States of America--
bravery, selfless service, dedication, and honor. Corporal Sotelo 
possessed all of these attributes, and many more, in abundance. 
Corporal Sotelo's life and sacrifice should be celebrated by all 
Americans, and his contribution to this country should be remembered 
always. He will truly be missed.
  To the family of Corporal Sotelo, I extend my deepest condolences and 
sorrow at the loss of their loved one. The memory of his bright life 
will remain an inspiration to all of us.
  So today, Mr. Speaker, I ask every Member of Congress, and every 
American to join me in paying tribute to the life and courage of Army 
Corporal Tomas Sotelo, Jr.--a true American hero.

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