[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26766]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING JOSEPH CARL NORQUIST

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 30, 2003

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a fallen 
soldier and American patriot, 26-year-old Army Specialist Joseph Carl 
Norquist, for his unstinting service to the community and devotion to 
the country. On October 9, 2003, Spc. Norquist, a 26-year-old Oakland 
man, was in a convoy in Baqubah, Iraq when he was killed in a barrage 
of grenades and bullets.
  Norquist was serving with the 588th Engineering Battalion, based in 
Fort Hood, Texas. In Iraq, the battalion is assigned to the 4th 
Infantry Division, also of Fort Hood. The 588th is conducting two 
separate missions in Baqubah; they are searching for weapons and 
rebuilding schools.
  ``Joe believed in the job he was doing in Iraq,'' his parents said in 
a statement. ``He thought it was worth it for the children, who would 
have better opportunities for a better life. We deeply mourn the loss 
of our son.''
  Norquist, a native of Martinez, attended high school in Benicia, 
where he played on the football team. He received an associate degree 
from Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill and joined the Army in 
2001. He served for a year in Korea before being assigned to his unit 
in Texas, where he was trained in evaluating obstacles and operating 
conditions for tank maneuvers.
  Joseph was a big, broad-shouldered man who liked to watch wrestling 
on TV. According to his friends, Joseph liked to spend his spare time 
in the base gym, working out with weights. In the evenings, he would 
try out wrestling moves on his Army buddies. He was contemplating 
enrolling in a pro wrestling school in Austin once his Army days were 
done. He was recognized for his attention to detail and thoroughness, 
and will posthumously receive the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals.
  Finally, as we remember Spc. Norquist today, I take great pride in 
joining Joseph's parents, Carl and Sue, his friends and fellow soldiers 
to recognize and salute the accomplishments and contributions of Joseph 
Carl Norquist.

                          ____________________