[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12163]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ARMY SGT. JOE GARZA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2003

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to another fallen 
soldier who gave the last full measure of devotion to his nation while 
serving in Iraq: Army Sgt. Joe Garza of Robstown, Texas.
  Robstown, my hometown also, is the biggest little town in Texas and 
we all felt this loss deeply. Army 1st Sgt. Joe Garza, 43, died on 
April 28 in Baghdad while serving in the war with Iraq.
  He was a role model for young people growing up in Robstown, serving 
even as a surrogate father to others in his family and his community. 
He enjoyed his family and his friends. He made them laugh, and played 
games with them.
  He left Robstown and Texas to make a life in the military, where he 
served honorably in Ft. Stewart, Georgia. So the memories of Joe in 
Robstown were as a student, a classmate, a son and a Cotton Picker, the 
mascot of Robstown High School.
  The memories of Sgt. Garza in Robstown were that he was a good man 
that fought for justice all of his life. His service in the military 
was just one more step in this lifelong philosophy. He wanted to bring 
justice to the world. We find some level of comfort knowing he died 
bringing peace to the people of Iraq.
  We also know that our way of life in the United States and the free 
world is possible because of our military and those who comprise it--
men like Sgt. Joe Garza.
  Sgt. Garza is survived by--and lives on in the minds of--his family: 
his wife of 24 years, Mary Garza, their children, Joe, Jr., John Paul, 
and Myra Ann, and his mother, Enes Garza, of Robstown.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending the 
life and service of Sgt. Joe Garza, and in expressing the condolences 
of the House of Representatives to his family.

                          ____________________