Lynn A. Westmoreland: “Mr. Speaker, a native Texan, Robert Martinez, known as Robbie, was a young Marine with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine…”

“Mr. Speaker, a native Texan, Robert Martinez, known as Robbie, was a young Marine with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He was based at the Marine Corps Air Ground and Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California. Lance Corporal Martinez was a dedicated soldier who wanted nothing more than to serve his country and make a difference in the world. Upon commencement of his senior year of high school, he had already signed up for the Marines. Two days after his high school graduation, in 2003, he left for basic training. Before his second deployment, Lance Corporal Martinez was stationed for 7 months in Iraq on the border of Syria. It was late in his second deployment to Iraq in the city of Fallujah when he and nine fellow Marines were killed by an improvised explosive device. The date of this attack was December 1, 2005; and, tragically, he was only weeks from returning home to his family and friends. In honor of this soldier's great courage and patriotism, which will not be forgotten, I ask all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 5108.”