[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25002]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOSE CASANOVA JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 16, 2003

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Private First Class 
Jose Casanova Jr., United States Army 82nd Airborne Division. This 
young man, from my hometown of El Monte, was a communications 
specialist who served his country with courage, pride and loyalty. On 
October 13, 2003, Private Jose Casanova Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice 
and was killed while serving our country.
  Private Jose Casanova Jr., a product of the public school system, 
earned his high school diploma in June of 1999 from Arroyo High School. 
During high school, Private Casanova was an active member of the 
student body participating in football, soccer, track and band. After 
graduation, his passion for music and helping people led him to return 
to Arroyo High School as a mentor to younger musicians.
  On January 3, 2002, Private Casanova enlisted in the United States 
Army to serve his country and to achieve his dream of going to college 
and becoming a firefighter. Private Jose Casanova Jr. received training 
in Fort Bragg North Carolina. His 82nd Airborne unit was activated and 
deployed to Iraq on February 14, 2003.
  Jose Casanova Jr., a United States citizen and a true patriot, is 
survived by his mother Teresa Munoz De Casanova and father Jose 
Casanova Jr. and eight siblings: Sergio, Gustavo, Olga de Carmen, 
Veronica, Teresa, Maria De Lourdes, Melissa and Gerardo.
  Private Casanova's sacrifice will not be forgotten. We are forever in 
his debt.

                          ____________________