Joaquin Castro: “I thank Congressman Ruiz for organizing this Special Order. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share the story of Marine…”

“I thank Congressman Ruiz for organizing this Special Order. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share the story of Marine Corporal William Garza, Jr. William joined the Marines in the summer before 9/11. His first deployment was to Iraq in 2003, where he participated in the fall of Baghdad. It was there, during war, where he was exposed to burn pits. When I met William, he told me that he and his fellow marines would sleep and work around burn pits 24/7. These burn pits were as big as football fields, burning tires, human waste, metals, and electronics. William, like many servicemembers, didn't know the dangers of burn pit exposure. After serving his country with honor, he returned home to Texas, and he soon met the love of his life, Melanie, and they would marry, buy a home, and start living their American Dream. Soon after his marriage, William developed a sore on his tongue, but he struggled to get an appointment with the VA. When he did, it confirmed his worst fear: cancer. He would receive treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center, where the doctors would perform a miracle throat cancer treatment. William beat cancer. Then, a few years later, he received terrible news during a VA checkup. He had two tumors in his lungs, and he would need immediate treatment. But then, making matters worse, he received a letter from the VA denying his service-connected disability claim.…”