Congressman Cuellar Joins Legislation to Award Congressional Gold Medals to Fallen Service Members
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Sep 5, 2021, 0 Comments
Dana Youngleton,
Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza, a Laredo Native, to Posthumously Receive Award
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) joined legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 U.S. military servicemembers who were killed in Afghanistan last week. The House legislation has 216 cosponsors.
The fallen servicemembers will join a group of 173 institutions and people that have been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal throughout the history of the United States. It is the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions to the country.
“May we never forget Texas native Lance Corporal David Espinoza and the 12 other service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation by helping to evacuate our citizens and allies from danger,” Congressman Cuellar said. “We must honor these heroic Americans and their families by posthumously securing the Congressional Gold Medal. These service members answered the call and put their fellow man and woman above themselves. I am incredibly honored to support this legislation in memory of their sacrifice in Afghanistan.”
The legislation will award the Congressional Gold Medal to Cpl. David Lee Espinoza, Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole Gee, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan Page, Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, Hospitalman Maxton Soviak and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss.
Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza was a 2019 graduate of LBJ High School in Rio Bravo. His life dream was to join the Marines and he enlisted after graduating. His funeral with military honors will take place in Laredo in the coming days.
For the bill text, click here.
