[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 239]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO UNITED STATES ARMY PRIVATE REY DAVID CUERVO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 21, 2004

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to another fallen 
patriot, United States Army Pvt. Rey David Cuervo, who gave the last 
full measure of devotion to the Nation of which he was not yet a 
citizen when he was killed in Iraq after his vehicle hit an explosive 
device in Baghdad.
  After almost 5 years in the United States Army, Pvt. Rey Cuervo, a 
24-year-old from Laguna Vista, was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd 
Armored Cavalry Regiment in Baghdad, based out of Fort Polk, LA.
  Pvt. Cuervo was one of an estimated 50,000 legal permanent residents 
serving in the U.S. Armed Forces when he died for the country he loved 
and the ideals he believed in. He died for the United States as a 
foreign national in the Army . . . and he won his citizenship 
posthumously.
  This is an important point to make to the House of Representatives at 
a time when many of our members are raising their voices against those 
who want to have a national policy that appreciates the actual faces of 
immigrants in this country who wish to be citizens here.
  This brave young man was not here to take a job from a citizen. These 
soldiers play a big part in defending the country. They believe in the 
hope and opportunity they feel when they come to this country. This 
young man's death may serve to educate some members of Congress about 
the importance of soldiers who put their life on the line, be they born 
in this Nation . . . or new to this Nation.
  To date, five Mexican nationals have died in the war in Iraq. The 
willingness of Cuervo and the others to fight and die for the United 
States is an illustration of the love of this Nation from our immigrant 
community, and of the extraordinary relationship between the United 
States and Mexico.
  Mr. Speaker, the entire community of South Texas mourns this fine 
young man.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending the life and 
service of United States Army Pvt. Rey Cuervo, and in expressing the 
condolences of the House of Representatives to his family.

                          ____________________