[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24264]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE MEMORY OF JASON ANTHONY VAZQUEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of a constituent 
who gave his life in service to our country. Staff Sergeant Jason 
Anthony Vazquez, a member of the 2nd Battalion 122nd Field Artillery, 
died in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Gerdia Seria, 
Afghanistan on September 17, 2008.
  Jason was taken from us too soon, but although he was only 24 years 
old, he had a profound effect on members of his family, community, and 
workplace.
  Jason was engaged to Genevieve Gonzalez, who remembers with joy the 
time they shared and the future they planned together. While her future 
will not be as she thought, she gains strength from the relationship 
they built and the values he imparted. To honor Jason, Genevieve has 
helped raise money to provide care packages and cards to the troops 
serving in Jason's unit.
  As an officer with Cook County's Department of Corrections, Jason 
always left an impression with his optimism, energy and cheerfulness. 
To honor his memory, the Department has created the Jason A. Vazquez 
Leadership Award to be given to the most deserving Training Academy 
graduate each year.
  Jason's many aunts, uncles and cousins gained strength from the joy 
he shared with each of them. His grandparents, Francisco and Leonor 
Vazquez, cherish the time Jason spent playing catch in the front yard 
as a young boy, helping with errands as he grew stronger, and sharing 
stories and wisdom as he grew into a man. His brother and sister, Jose 
Jr. and Janice, take comfort in the memory of his love of music, his 
passion for basketball, and his place in the center of any party or 
gathering. His parents, Jose and Lisa, take pride in the son who grew 
from a popular and fun-loving Schurz High School '02 classmate to the 
dedicated young man who wore the uniform of this country, and made the 
ultimate sacrifice for us.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to this young man, and I 
am humbled by his service and his sacrifice. I ask that we remember 
Jason and his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers, and that 
we honor him and the rest of the men and women who have given their 
lives in service to our country.

                          ____________________