[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 751]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE MEMORY OF UNITED STATES MARINE LANCE CORPORAL JUAN RODRIGO 
                               RODRIGUEZ

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of United 
States Marines Lance Corporal Juan Rodrigo Rodriguez.
  On Thursday, January 13, Lance Corporal Rodriguez, a member of the 
Weapons Platoon, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines Division, died at the 
young age of 23.

                              {time}  1930

  Mr. Rodriguez was deployed in Iraq in August of 2004 where he served 
as an infantry assaultman. Juan, along with another Marine, was killed 
in an enemy attack explosion on January 13. He has been described by 
friends as a true Marine who was proud to fight for his country.
  Before joining the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Rodriguez was part 
of the United South High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC, where he was 
described as a model cadet by Junior ROTC staff.
  A 4-year member of the Junior ROTC, he always sought out perfection 
as he devoted countless hours to the Color Guard Team, the Shooting 
Team, and the Unarmed Drill Team.
  In his senior year in high school, Juan Rodriguez was part of United 
South High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC that earned top honors at 
the National High School Drill Team Championships at Daytona Beach, 
Florida. In his senior year in high school, Juan Rodrigo Rodriguez went 
on to earn the rank of cadet colonel and was named the school's Junior 
ROTC battalion commander.
  His exemplary extracurricular record in school brought him the 
recognition and respect of his classmates, teachers, and school 
administrators. Juan Rodriguez received the highest honor bestowed upon 
the graduating seniors: the United South High School Panther Award 
presented to those who exemplify the true spirit of the United South 
High School. Only 10 seniors out of a class of 471 received the award 
that year.
  Amid all of his obligations to school and Junior ROTC, Juan Rodriguez 
found the time to volunteer in multiple community service projects. He 
played an active role in Christmas drives for underprivileged children, 
including Toys For Tots and Blue Santa.
  In addition, Mr. Rodriguez was an active participant during Veterans 
Day and Memorial Day celebrations and, on several occasions, 
volunteering his time by placing U.S. flags at the city cemetery to 
honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, or 
participated with the Presentation of Colors.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents in El Cenizo and Laredo, 
Texas, I ask this great body to join me in sending our most heartfelt 
condolences to the family of Lance Corporal Juan Rodrigo Rodriguez. May 
God watch over his parents, Rodrigo and Juana, and sister, Fatima, in 
this time of need.

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