[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10164]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      IN MEMORY OF ANDREW ALBERT ESPARZA, IRVING POLICE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2007

  Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of Officer Andrew 
Albert Esparza and in honor of his life dedicated to service and public 
safety.
  Andrew passed away on April 13, 2007 in a fatal car accident while on 
his way to assist another officer. After graduating from the University 
of Texas in Arlington with degrees in business marketing and Spanish, 
Andrew followed in his brother's footsteps by joining the Irving Police 
Department in 2005. He was recently selected to join the SWAT team on a 
part-time basis and always made himself available as a Spanish 
translator. Though he was only with the Irving Police Department for 2 
years, Andrew demonstrated great promise with expertise, maturity, and 
professionalism beyond his years of experience.
  He is survived by his parents, Rafael and Christina of Fort Worth, 
TX; two brothers, Rafael Esparza, Jr. and wife, Jennifer of Irving, TX; 
Felix Esparza and wife, Haylee of Burleson, TX; sister, Zoe Esparza of 
Burleson, TX; grandparents, Lydia Garcia of Fort Worth, TX; Lazaro and 
Olivia Cantu of Fort Worth, TX; and nieces and nephews, Saeya, Sloan, 
Slade, and Rylee Esparza.
  He will be remembered as a compassionate officer, a dedicated family 
man, and a devout Christian. May God bless all those he loved, and may 
I convey to them my sincerest condolences and the gratitude of the 
American people.

                          ____________________