[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25942]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


            LOSS OF U.S. MARINE CORPS CPL. ZACHARY A. KOLDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 20, 2004

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great American 
patriot, U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Zachary A. Kolda of Corpus Christi, 
Texas, who gave the last full measure of devotion to the country he 
loved and served when he was killed in combat in Al Anbar Province, 
Iraq on December 1, 2004.
  He served with the Marine Reserves' 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine 
Regiment, 4th Marine Division.
  This 23-year-old Marine, who taught others how to live and enjoy 
life, left his studies at the University of Texas at Austin this spring 
when called to active duty for deployment to Iraq. Those who knew and 
loved him described him as a compassionate, funny, and lively young man 
who was always encouraging his friends and family to live life to the 
fullest each day.
  That is a fitting legacy for this brave young Marine, who hailed from 
a family of military service. One grandfather served in the Navy for 28 
years, while the other grandfather served in World War II.
  Cpl. Kolda was mischievous, fun-loving, and forever cheering up his 
family and friends. He was an artist, peppering friends and family with 
cherished drawings and cartoons. He was proud to be a Marine, proud to 
serve this Nation in battle. His gentle spirit was uplifting and an 
inspiration to those who knew and loved him.
  He had a sweet soul and he saw the best in people. He had a gift for 
cheering people up, making them laugh and see the silly side of life. 
He was friendly, engaging and straightforward.
  Cpl. Kolda, who was majoring in international business at UT, lived 
with his wife, Arleen, in Austin. They were married in April, 2004, 
after a year-long engagement.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering with gratitude this 
great, sweet, funny patriot; his sacrifice on behalf of all of us; and 
the family he leaves behind in South Texas.

                          ____________________