Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the incredible life of another American, Guadalupe Castillo, a true American hero from my hometown of Fresno, California, from the San Joaquin Valley. At just 18, he entered the United States Army to do his duty during World War II. He faced some of the toughest and fiercest battles that our Nation was engaged in at that time: the Battle of the Bulge, D-day at Omaha Beach, and the liberation of France from the tyranny of the Nazis. Mr. Castillo's courage and sacrifice helped shape the course of the history of our Nation in the 20th century, but his service didn't just end there. After World War II, he came home and devoted 20 years to helping fellow veterans there with the Veterans Administration at the veterans hospital in Fresno, inspiring his son to follow in his footsteps. His son still works there today and is considered one of the anchors of the VA hospital in Fresno and, of course, with his dad. I had the honor of meeting Mr. Castillo on an Honor Flight a number of years ago, and I saw him again just recently at the 75th anniversary of the VA hospital in Fresno before he passed away on Easter Sunday at 100 years of age. In that short time, he made a lasting mark and impression on me and everyone whom he ever touched and met because he was a true American hero with wisdom, kindness, and an unwavering spirit of 100 years of a life well lived.…”