[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 17680-17681]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES

  Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, I have been trying to get some time to 
pay tribute to some of my constituents, military personnel, who were 
killed in Iraq since the war was officially declared over. I wanted to 
tie that into my vote for the Biden amendment on the State Department 
bill, which called for the President to consider asking NATO and the 
United Nations to share the burden with our

[[Page 17681]]

troops on the ground. I was hoping it would be a little stronger 
because I believe that is what ought to happen. I have said that for a 
very long time now. At least, it is a step in the right direction.
  We are losing too many of our people. I want to honor and remember 14 
young Americans who were from California, or were based in California, 
and who have died since the war was declared over by President Bush.
  We are losing too many of our people. Today, I want to honor and 
remember 14 young Americans who were from California or were based in 
California and who have died since the war officially ended.
  Marine PFC Jose F. Gonzalez Rodriguez, age 19, died May 12 in Iraq. 
He was assigned to the 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, 
California. He was from Norwalk, California.
  Marine CPL Jakub H. Kowalik, age 21, was killed May 12 in Iraq. He 
was assigned to the 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, 
California. He was from Schaumburg, Illinois.
  Marine CPL Douglas Jose Marencoreyes, age 28, was killed on May 18 in 
Iraq. He was assigned to the 4th Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, 
California. He was from Chino, California.
  Marine CPT Andrew David Lamont, age 31, was killed on May 19 in a 
helicopter accident in Iraq. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, 
California, and was from Eureka, California.
  Marine LCpl Jason William Moore, age 21, was killed on May 19 in a 
helicopter accident in Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft 
Wing, Camp Pendleton, California. He was from San Marcos, California.
  Marine 1LT Timothy Louis Ryan, age 30, was killed on May 19 in a 
helicopter accident in Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft 
Wing, Camp Pendleton, California. He was from Aurora, Illinois.
  Marine SSgt Aaron Dean White, age 27, was killed on May 19 in a 
helicopter accident in Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft 
Wing, Camp Pendleton, California. He was from Shawnee, Oklahoma.
  Marine Sgt Kirk Allen Straseskie, age 23, was killed on May 19 during 
an attempt to rescue victims of a helicopter accident in Iraq. He was 
assigned to the 4th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, California. He was 
from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
  Marine Sgt Jonathan W. Lambert, age 28, died on June 1 as a result of 
injuries sustained in an accident on May 26 in southern Iraq. He was 
assigned to the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. He was 
from New Site, Mississippi. He is survived by his wife, a 2-year-old 
daughter, his parents, a sister, and two grandparents.
  Army Sgt Atanacio Haro Marin Jr., age 27, was killed by enemy fire on 
June 3 in Iraq. He was attached to the 16th Field Artillery Regiment at 
Fort Hood, Texas. He was from Baldwin Park, California. He joined the 
National Guard after he graduated from high school. Following his 
service with the National Guard, he transferred to the Army.
  Marine PFC Ryan R. Cox, age 19, was killed on June 15 in Iraq. He was 
stationed at Twenty-nine Palms, California. Hew was from Derby, Kansas.
  Army SP Paul T. Nakamura, age 21, was killed on June 19 when his 
ambulance was struck by a grenade in Iraq. He was from Sante Fe 
Springs, California. He was attached to the 437th Medical Company, 
based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
  Army SP Andrew Chris, age 25, was killed on June 25 in Iraq. He was 
assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort 
Benning, Georgia. Before he joined the Army, he lived for several years 
in California, most of them in the San Diego area. He planned to teach 
high school history when he completed his military career.
  Marine Cpl Travis J. Bradachnall, age 21, was killed on July 2 near 
the city of Karbala, Iraq. He was assigned to the Combat Service 
Support Group 11, Camp Pendleton, California. He was from Oregon.
  Mr. President, 55 individuals who were from California or based in 
California have died while serving our country in Iraq.
  The people of California, as well as all Americans, mourn their loss. 
May these beautiful young Americans rest in peace. I also continue to 
pray for those who have been wounded in this conflict. I wish them the 
very best as they recuperate from their injuries.
  I hope that all of our brave young women and men serving abroad will 
return home safely. They deserve to be relieved soon. Many have been 
there much longer than they anticipated. Their families need them.
  They face an extremely dangerous situation. Many say they are more 
fearful now than they were in the height of the war.
  I agree with those who are calling for the peacekeeping troops to be 
an international force. That would ease the burden on our men and women 
in uniform and would also make them less of a target.
  There is no reason that this shouldn't be done as soon as possible so 
that I and others do not have to come to the Senate floor for the 
purpose of delivering painful and heartbreaking eulogies.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

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