[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9077]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN MEMORY OF PRIVATE FIRST CLASS DIEGO F. RINCON

  (Mr. SCOTT of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, as we watch television today, we 
see the wondrous and joyous faces of Iraqi citizens who have been 
liberated. But we must pause now and never forget the precious price 
that was paid through our brave and courageous soldiers who gave their 
lives so that Iraq could be free.
  Today, I rise to give some remarks about one of those noble heroes 
who gave his life, Private First Class Diego Fernando Rincon, who was 
from the 13th Congressional District in Georgia and whose funeral will 
be held today, in just a few hours from now at 2 p.m., at the Seventh 
Day Adventist Church located in my district in Conyers, Georgia.
  Mr. Speaker, this is the second funeral in my district in the last 4 
days, and not only from my district but from the same town in my 
district, Conyers, Georgia. Specialist Jamal Addison, on Monday, we 
funeralized; and I was privileged to be there. And today, again, Diego 
Rincon. Unfortunately, I am not able to be there, but it is very 
important that we pause for a moment and give our respect to this 
fallen, but great, hero.
  Private First Class Diego Fernando Rincon was the second Metro 
Atlanta soldier killed in the war in Iraq. Mr. Speaker, he was 19 years 
old. Private Rincon served as a member of the 3rd Infantry Division of 
the 3rd Army Mechanized. Private Rincon was killed in a suicide bombing 
attack at a U.S. Army checkpoint in Iraq on March 29, with three other 
soldiers from Georgia's Fort Stewart.
  Private Rincon was born near Bogota, Colombia, and moved with his 
family to the United States when he was 5 years old. Private Rincon 
graduated from Salem High School in Rockdale County, Georgia, in 2001. 
He was a gifted actor, musician and cheerleader. A very creative and 
talented person.
  Private Rincon has been awarded posthumously United States 
citizenship because, Mr. Speaker, this 19-year-old gave his life for 
this country, and yet he was not a citizen of this country. That is why 
we are here at this time putting legislation pending that will grant 
automatic citizenship for all foreign soldiers. What a great story.
  I conclude, Mr. Speaker, with this: this great soldier fought the 
good fight, he finished his course, and he kept the faith. There is 
surely put up for private Diego Rincon an extraordinary crown of 
righteousness. God bless this great soldier, Private Rincon of the 
United States Army, a United States citizen, and God bless America.

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