Barbara Boxer: “I have been trying to get some time to pay tribute to some of my constituents, military personnel, who were killed in…”

“I have been trying to get some time to pay tribute to some of my constituents, military personnel, who were killed in Iraq since the war was officially declared over. I wanted to tie that into my vote for the Biden amendment on the State Department bill, which called for the President to consider asking NATO and the United Nations to share the burden with our troops on the ground. I was hoping it would be a little stronger because I believe that is what ought to happen. I have said that for a very long time now. At least, it is a step in the right direction. We are losing too many of our people. I want to honor and remember 14 young Americans who were from California, or were based in California, and who have died since the war was declared over by President Bush. Marine PFC Jose F. Gonzalez Rodriguez, age 19, died May 12 in Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, California. He was from Norwalk, California.”