Hilda L. Solis: “I rise tonight to honor a dear friend from my district, George Garcia, who died early this morning at the age of 51. He…”

“I rise tonight to honor a dear friend from my district, George Garcia, who died early this morning at the age of 51. He was a resident of El Sereno community of East Los Angeles in my district. He was born on May 6, 1952, in Los Angeles and grew up in the community of Chino, California. At the age of 18, George Garcia answered our Nation's call to duty and voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army. He was signed to the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served with great honor during the Vietnam War. In Vietnam, George served as a 'tunnel rat.' I asked my colleagues what is a tunnel rat. Apparently these young men in that era courageously dug tunnels behind enemy lines in the Vietnam War. Upon returning from Vietnam, George married his high school sweetheart, Roberta Melendez. Together, they raised three beautiful children who mourn his loss today, as well as myself and other people from our community. One of his children, George, Jr., is carrying on his father's commitment to defending our Nation as a member of the United States Navy. Upon returning from Vietnam, George Garcia dedicated his life and career to helping fellow veterans. For the past 25 years, he worked as an employee of the Employment Development Department in California finding jobs for unemployed veterans.”