Charlie Gonzalez

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. And we've already touched on estimates of how millions of eligible American citizen voters don't have a current State-issued ID. The number is in the millions. And in Florida, it was less than 600 votes. I don't know the experience in New Jersey. But it would seem--and I went over this earlier, and I don't know if my colleagues were here--we passed laws in this Chamber, and we always try to demonstrate that we're trying to remedy a situation that is true in existence. And the manner in which we do it--we look at cost benefits. We can't prove fraud; but I can assure you, we can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that people will be denied access to the polls.

Mr. GONZALEZ. Well, the curious thing, and I know the gentlelady from Florida has already pointed it out, there is no doubt that certain segments of voters are being targeted. This isn't an even application whose consequences will be felt across equally all sectors or segments of the voting population. We know what is really going on, and it is an asserted, directed effort. And some people may find it exceedingly hard to believe that that's what these laws will actually accomplish rather than the lofty goal of somehow eliminating, addressing voter fraud when we've already stated that you don't have any demonstrable evidence that the fraud is occurring. Now, I do want to say in Texas, we just had this new photo ID law passed, and so I went to the Secretary of State's Office and I went to the Department of Public Safety which is charged and tasked with the duty of providing this election ID, photo ID. Now, this is the amazing thing. The Department of Public Safety in the State of Texas has not been appropriated one extra dollar for this added burden. They are not going to have extended hours. They are going to have the regular hours. They're not going to have any mobile units of any type. They will continue using their existing facilities which are already taxed to the limit by individuals who are going in there just for regular business. Now, this is the State of Texas. You may not believe this, but I think Florida is a pretty big State. New Jersey, not as big. But you can have a distance of 100 miles from some of our towns to the nearest DPS office. Now, why would that be important? You don't have a Texas driver's license, so that tells you you're going to have to get someone to drive you to the DPS station. And then you're going to be in the same line. Maybe they'll queue it a little differently, whatever it is, but I'll tell you now, the Texas experience is no different than most other States where you stand in line for inordinate amounts of time. If we're talking about the elderly, if we're talking about those who have some sort of a physical handicap, they can still go out and vote because they're so proud of the right to vote that they've been exercising for 60-plus years. I would yield to the gentlelady from Florida.

Mr. GONZALEZ. I believe we still have at least 5 minutes, and I surely wanted to reference an article that was written by our colleague from Georgia, John Lewis. Mr. Holt, I think, has already referred to Mr. Lewis' illustrative career in the civil rights movement and such, but I would like to read the last couple of paragraphs because coming from John Lewis it is special because he's lived the worst of times and he knows that it's been a progression, a slow one, and we're not there yet. To somehow return to those old days under the guise of some sort of voter fraud, which again has not been demonstrated, we know the cost is going to far exceed the benefits. This is what he said: These restrictions purportedly apply to all citizens equally. In reality, we know that they will disproportionately burden African Americans and other racial minorities, yet again. They are poll taxes by another name. The King Memorial reminds us that out of a mountain of despair we may hew a stone of hope. Forty-eight years after the March on Washington, we must continue our work with hope that all citizens will have an unfettered right to vote. Second-class citizenship is not citizenship at all. We've come some distance and have made great progress, but Dr. King's dream has not been realized in full. New restraints on the right to vote do not merely slow us down. They turn us backward, setting us in the wrong direction on a course where we have already traveled too far and sacrificed too much. Mr. Speaker, how much time remains?

Mr. GONZALEZ. I'd like to yield time to each of my colleagues as we close out the Special Order. I would first recognize the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. GONZALEZ. I thank my colleague for his participation and his words. I would yield to my colleague from Florida.

Mr. GONZALEZ. I thank my colleague from Florida, I thank the Speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Anna Maria Chavez and to congratulate her on her appointment as the 19th Chief Executive of Girl Scouts of the USA. Ms. Chavez officially assumes her new role at the Girl Scouts National Council Session/52nd Convention being held this week in Houston, Texas. I am particularly proud that Ms. Chavez joins GSUSA following an incredibly successful term as Chief Executive of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas in my home district in San Antonio, Texas. During her tenure, Ms. Chavez oversaw a 20 percent increase in membership in just two years. Quickly recognized for her leadership, Ms. Chavez received the inaugural ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award in 2010 and was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame in March 2011. As the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I also take great pride in the fact that Ms. Chavez is the first Latina woman to be named the head of Girl Scouts. Her story began in the small town of Eloy, Arizona, where she was raised in a Mexican-American family. Ms. Chavez holds a law degree from the University of Arizona College of Law and a bachelor's degree in American history from Yale University. Bar admissions include the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, Arizona Supreme Court, and U.S. Supreme Court. Her professional accomplishments are many. Prior to coming to Girl Scouts, she served as deputy chief of staff for urban relations and community development for former Arizona Governor and current U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano. Prior to being appointed as deputy chief of staff, Ms. Chavez served as then Governor Napolitano's director of intergovernmental affairs from 2003 to 2007. She also served as in-house counsel and assistant director for the Division of Aging & Community Services (DACS) at the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Ms. Chavez entered state government after serving as senior policy advisor to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater. Previously, she had been chief of staff to the deputy administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in Washington, D.C. Ms. Chavez also served as chief of staff for SBA's Office of Government Contracting and Minority Enterprise Development. As she takes the helm at Girl Scouts of the USA, Ms. Chavez will shepherd a dramatic period of change for the organization. This week, Girl Scouts will kick off its 100th Anniversary celebration, designating 2012 as the Year of the Girl. In the coming years, Girl Scouts has plans to promote its award winning Girl Scout Leadership Program, including the exciting new badge book, The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting. Girl Scouts is also preparing to launch an ambitious new fundraising effort tied to these activities, and to elevate public awareness about girls' unique needs. As relevant today as it was when it was founded 100 years ago, this organization delivers the best leadership experience for a new generation of girls whose lives--and the opportunities they face--are ever changing. I am confident that Anna Maria Chavez will continue this strong legacy of leadership and service, and look forward to working with her for many years to come.

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. John Folks on being awarded Superintendent of the Year from the Texas Association of School Boards. Dr. Folks has served as superintendent of the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas since 2002 and was selected from among the 1,000 eligible superintendents from across the state of Texas for this award. Dr. Folks has consistently advocated against budget cuts to education and schools, and during his time as superintendent, Northside ISD has become the largest school district in Bexar County and has grown from 65,000 students to 97,500 students. Northside ISD is also the largest school district in Texas to be classified as a ``recognized'' school under the state's accountability system. Dr. Folks has been instrumental in maintaining the quality of Texas public schools and has served as superintendent of Spring Independent School District in Houston and Midwest City-Del City Public Schools in suburban Oklahoma City. He began his teaching career in Port Arthur, Texas and has remained an educator for 41 years. As Past President of the Texas Association of School Administrators, he has used his leadership skills to help school districts excel across the state of Texas. He is committed to doing what is right for Texas youth and understands that it takes a skilled team of dedicated educators to pave their road to success to prepare students to lead productive and fulfilling lives. I would again ask you to congratulate Dr. John Folks on his recognition as Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards and acknowledge his fight for providing an exemplary education throughout our nation's public school systems.

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like the Record to reflect that, had I been present for the vote, I should have voted ``nay'' on the Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment with an Amendment to the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (H.R. 2608) as I had voted against it on Wednesday, September 21, 2010.

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I extend my thanks to my colleague from Illinois for joining me in cosponsoring what I believe is a very important amendment. We offered this amendment because we have concerns with EPA's intent to proceed with a tier 3 rulemaking which would establish new fuel specification standards without justifying it with the sufficient data that has already been called to be conducted under a study in a previous bill. In 2007, Congress included a provision in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that directed EPA to study and implement fuel changes to negate any detrimental air quality impact resulting from the renewable fuel standard. EPA has not conducted this required study. I am concerned that EPA may be moving too quickly with tier 3 regulations. EPA should complete the study first and provide for adequate comment and feedback from stakeholders before proceeding with the proposed rule. Any proposed changes to gasoline sulfur content and vapor pressure should be backed by sound data. These reductions must be justified because they have real costs. I have concerns about the effects these new regulations could have on refiners. These costs could result in decreased gasoline supplies and possible refinery closures, both of which could undermine our Nation's energy security. Our amendment simply adds any proposed tier 3 rulemaking to the list of regulations where EPA must conduct additional analyses, as outlined in TRAIN. This additional study will ensure that all of the costs and impacts are known before EPA proceeds with its proposal. I hope my colleagues in the House can support this straightforward amendment. It simply calls on an agency to simply do that which it was directed to do years ago before proceeding and not to basically proceed before you have the vital information on which to base some very important regulations.

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Margaret Fuentes Gonzalez Zepeda on the occasion of her 96th birthday and tribute at the Guadalupe Community Center in San Antonio, Texas. Born in 1915 Margaret ``Margarita'' Gonzalez was the daughter of Simon Gonzalez and Maria Fuentes Gonzalez. Margaret and her family grew up in San Antonio, and in April 1931, she married Manuel Zepeda, a union that would last 44 years, produce three girls and one boy. Margaret worked for the San Antonio Housing Authority for over 20 years and rose to the position of Assistant Manager. Additionally, Margaret was extremely active in the community, and she used sports as a method to mentor San Antonio youth. Through sports Margaret developed a strong sense of discipline that she took to the Guadalupe Community Center and to the City of San Antonio as a recreation leader. After retirement Margaret accelerated her own participation in sports, and in the late 1980s began her journey into the Senior Olympics. Since 1990 Margaret has participated in Senior Olympics in a variety of sports including: bowling; walking; horse shoes; softball and football for accuracy and distance; and each year has qualified for the National Games. At the age of 96, Margaret has won over 100 gold and silver medals. She has been to the National Games in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (twice); San Antonio, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; Orlando, Florida and has brought home the Gold or Silver (Tucson) every time. Margaret Zepeda has a ``never give up'' spirit that impacted the self worth of each child she mentored. She instilled in them pride and discipline, and an understanding that love and command of sports was the great equalizer. For her half century of community work and leadership to the children of San Antonio, I join in celebrating the tribute hosted at the Guadalupe Community Center by the cadre of successful women who began their lives under the tutorage of Margaret Fuentes Gonzalez Zepeda.

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a truly amazing citizen of our country, Mr. Atanacio Garcia of San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Garcia has dedicated his entire life to serving the United States of America. At the age of 22, he enlisted in the military and served 8 years, including a stint in Korea and Germany. Upon his discharge, Mr. Garcia returned to Texas and joined the U.S. Postal Service. In addition to working for the Postal Service for 24 years, Mr. Garcia also served in the Texas Air National Guard from March 14, 1963-March 13, 1982. Since his retirement in 1984, Mr. Garcia has remained steadfast in his commitment to civic duty and civic responsibility, and he has continuously worked to help the people of San Antonio. Mr. Garcia worked to help bring the first public pool to San Antonio's Westside neighborhood, and he has been a constant figure at neighborhood events and local community service projects. Even after all of these incredible achievements and accomplishments, Mr. Garcia has still felt the need to do even more for his country. Concerned about America's growing debt, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Starting in 2009, Mr. Garcia made a pledge to send $50 every month to the U.S. Treasury's Bureau of Public Debt in order to pay down our national debt. In order to maintain his monthly pledge, Mr. Garcia uses money he makes from selling aluminum cans that he collects in his neighborhood. Obviously, we cannot all have the sense of public service and civic duty of Mr. Atanacio Garcia, but it is my hope that we can all strive to be a little more like Mr. Garcia. If lawmakers and corporations were able to embody just a fraction of his willingness to solve problems by putting America first, I do not believe that our country would have the problems that it does. I want to thank Mr. Garcia for his tireless efforts and dedication to his community and to his country. He is a pillar of the San Antonio community, and an example for citizens across the country. It is truly an honor to represent constituents, such as Mr. Atanacio Garcia, in the U.S. Congress, and again, I would like to ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing this incredible public servant and citizen of the United States of America.

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the McAfee family for celebrating their 70th family reunion in San Antonio, Texas. On Saturday, August 27, 2011, members of the McAfee family will gather at Rodriguez City Park in San Antonio to celebrate a tradition of coming together that has lasted 70 years. The McAfee Family Reunion began in 1941 with the family of William and Charlotte Newton McAfee, and their nine children. This year, four of the McAfee children from the initial reunion will be celebrating their 70th continuous McAfee Family Reunion: Harold McAfee, Delton McAfee King, Doris McAfee Walker, and Joseph McAfee. At the core of American values is a commitment to family, and I want to thank all of the members of the McAfee family for their incredible dedication to each other. They are truly a model for families all across our great country, and I am honored to have their family celebrate such a tremendous milestone in my district. The McAfee family's steadfast embodiment of family values is an inspiration, and I wish them years of continued happiness for generations to come.

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Judge Ricardo Manuel Urbina for his distinguished career and long outstanding service to his community. Over the course of his career as an NCAA track and field champion and Georgetown University honors graduate, he distinguished himself as an athlete and a scholar. In the early years of his life, Judge Urbina was frequently recognized for his exceptional athletic achievements which included his running in the 1968 Olympic trials. After receiving his law degree in 1970, he continued to break barriers with every stride further earning a stellar reputation as a trial lawyer, academician and tenacious advocate for the fair and equal administration of law. In 1981 President Reagan appointed him to the DC Superior Court. Thirteen years later, President Clinton appointed Judge Urbina to serve on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia where he currently presides after thirty years of service on the bench. I am inspired by Judge Urbina's steadfast commitment to the law and strict adherence to the highest ethical standards. Numerous lawyers, judges, and Latino leaders have had the privilege to be mentored by Judge Urbina and have benefited from his counsel and guidance. He has inspired a diverse network of people to strive to reach their fullest potential and pursue their dreams. Judge Urbina's career exemplifies not only notable legal accomplishments and a long history of achievements in every arena of endeavor, but also a man's tireless efforts to improve the line of succeeding generations. Mister Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to congratulate Judge Urbina for his thirty years of service on the bench, to wish him the best as he assumes senior status and to recognize the many contributions he has made to the administration of justice.

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Operational Technologies (OpTech) on its 25th anniversary of providing business expansion opportunities and incredible employment sources for many San Antonians. Founded by Max Navarro a quarter-century ago, OpTech has been committed to excellence and strives to provide scientific and technical solutions for global clients across a range of service sectors. OpTech focuses on areas ranging from Supply Chain Management, Biotechnology, and Automotive Industry. OpTech has succeeded in exceeding client expectations and the achievement of outstanding corporate citizenship through its adherence to the highest levels of professional integrity. From securing the defense contract to develop a nerve gas antidote or constructing an $850 million state-of-the-art manufacturing plant to assemble the Toyota Tundra pick-up truck, OpTech has made great strides towards providing San Antonio a promising economic future. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Operational Technologies on their continued success and contribution to San Antonio as a leading minority owned business.

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 672, and I yield myself 5 minutes. Supporters of the bill once told us that this would save $14 million each year. I'm not sure how they came up with that number. What we do know is that when Ranking Member Brady asked the FEC if they could handle the responsibilities of EAC, this is what they said: Sure, if you give us more money. So this bill would take money from an agency they don't like and give it to an agency that no one likes. It will take money from an agency that has met many challenges and has improved its operations in the past few years, and it will give it to one on the opposite path, one that has become only more dysfunctional in recent years. But H.R. 672 doesn't move all of EAC's functions to the FEC. Some of the best ones simply go away. So let's say that H.R. 672 will save the Federal Government $6.6 million a year. That's great. Unless you happen to live in a State. This is just another example of shifting the costs to the States. Well, we lose the efficiencies of having a central clearinghouse for information, so maybe this isn't just cost shifting but cost increasing, because no matter what we do, our States have to run elections every year, often twice a year. The EAC doesn't run elections. That's not its job. It assists the State and local election officials so that they can run elections better and for less. And local election officials have written in from across the country in praise of the EAC and opposition to this bill. H.R. 672 would eliminate the one Federal agency that's focused on finding best practices for elections. That will make it that much harder for the supervisor of elections in Palm Beach County, Florida, to learn that the registrar of voters in Fresno County, California, figured out a way to process paper ballots so they would run more smoothly, representing a 25 percent savings in election costs. In my home, Bexar County, the elections administrator, Jacqui Callanen, learned from an EAC instructional video a new technique that will save our county $100,000 per year. That's $100,000 in savings for one county, from one EAC instructional video, and we have more than 8,000 election jurisdictions in the United States. But the savings don't stop there. The recount from Minnesota's 2008 Senate race was estimated to cost the State as much as $5 million and the candidates around $20 million. Worse, the people of Minnesota were deprived of one of their Senators for 6 of the most turbulent months in recent history. If the EAC can prevent the need for such recounts and reduce the costs and time involved in others, how much is that worth? EAC has taken tremendous steps to help our States ensure that our citizens, especially the disabled, are able to exercise their constitutional right and civic responsibility to participate in our electoral system. Now, how much is that worth? Are the proponents of this bill willing to put a pricetag on that? Mr. Speaker, we spend millions of dollars and put our young men and women in harm's way, promoting and protecting our great democracy. Is it really too much to spend $6.6 million here at home? When H.R. 672 was marked up in committee, I offered a very simple amendment. It would have had GAO look into whether the bill would actually save money, including whether savings at the Federal level would simply be the result of pushing costs onto the States, and whether voters would be disenfranchised, giving us the time to reconsider if the results were negative. I hadn't anticipated that the bill would reach the floor with no chance to offer an amendment. When we defeat this, when it comes up for a vote, and if the Republican leadership should decide to bring H.R. 672 back to the floor under a rule, I fully intend to offer that amendment again. If the supporters of H.R. 672 are so confident of the bill's savings and innocuous nature, I can't see why they would object to my amendment. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished Democratic whip who was instrumental in a bipartisan effort to actually pass, a few years ago, the Help America Vote Act.

Mr. GONZALEZ. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. GONZALEZ. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.

Mr. GONZALEZ. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. GONZALEZ. I yield 2 minutes to my colleague from the great State of Texas, Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee.

Mr. GONZALEZ. I yield the gentlelady an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First of all, I would like to address some of the remarks made by the proponents of this particular bill. First, I know it was not intentional to mischaracterize the words of Mr. Hoyer. He did not state that the EAC should have an eternal life. What he said is, it was essential, in its present form, in the function that it provides. I think he also indicated that everything is not a simple budget or mathematical problem. There is cost benefit to look into and see what the true benefit is for the investment of that Federal dollar. Much has been said about the National Association of Secretaries of State coming out with a resolution. That is not news. From the very inception they opposed the creation of the Election Assistance Commission, and on a regular basis they would pass a resolution expressing that opposition. But I do wish to point out that the president of the National Association of Secretaries of State, Secretary of State of Minnesota Mark Ritchie--whose State knows something about the cost of problematic elections--testified before our committee on March 31 that he was certainly not in favor of terminating the Election Assistance Commission. I also wish to read from a letter that we received today at about 4 p.m. to a House Administration election staffer: Dear Mr. Khalil, I am the election director of Harford County Board of Elections in northeastern Maryland. I am a Republican and have been active in the Republican Party since 1968. I am also the Republican member of the Standards Board of the Election Assistance Commission. As a representative of a local board of elections, we are very isolated and depend on the EAC as a clearinghouse of information and resources. The EAC has been most helpful to local boards of elections in supporting our election administration and providing guidance in future elections. The FEC is too political and cannot do and perform as the Election Assistance Commission. The passage of H.R. 672 will be a loss to local boards of election nationwide. We are the grassroots of the election community, and we need the support of the EAC. In closing, we will in fact defeat this tomorrow. I'm hoping that my amendment will be ruled in order and that we will have a chance to really look at the potential effect this bill will have on local election officials. Not to politicize it. This is not about Republicans or about Democrats; it's about how effective and efficient our local election officials can be. With the assistance of the only clearinghouse, the only commission with the expertise and the dedication to that single goal. There will be no other agency like it, there will be no other commission like it, and it's well worth the investment that we make on a yearly basis to assure the integrity and the efficiency of our local elections. I don't know of any better investment. I understand that we have to tighten our belts. Do we do it, though, at the cost of the efficient running of our elections, the very basis for our democracy? I commend the Members on the other side of the aisle for this effort, but it is truly misguided. It's not based on facts or the realities on the ground. And almost every local election official will echo those sentiments today. I oppose this bill. I will be voting against it. And I ask my colleagues to please oppose this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GONZALEZ

Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Sylvan Siegal, a San Antonio native who bravely fought in the front lines of World War II. Last month, I had the honor of presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Mr. Siegal's brother--64 years after Sylvan Siegal should have received it for his combat service as an Army infantryman in World War II. During World War II, Sylvan Siegal served in Rifle Co. ``B'' of the 406th Regiment of the 102nd Infantry ``Ozark'' Division which helped obliterate the Nazi army in central Germany. After Sylvan died this past September, his brother, Ben Siegal, found his brother's Army documents among his belongings. It showed. Mr. Siegal had earned the Combat Infantry Badge and was awarded the EAME Campaign Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, the Victory Ribbon, 2 Overseas Service Bars, Army Occupation Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Siegal passed away this past September, at the age 84. He is buried next to his beloved parents, Louis and Bluma Kagan Siegal. Because Mr. Sylvan Siegal was proud of both his Jewish heritage and his service to our country, Ben Siegal chose his synagogue, Rodfei Sholom, for the medal presentation where Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg delivered the following remarks: When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the United States declared war on Japan and Germany, American Jewish men and women responded to their country's call for the armed forces. During the course of World War II, 550,000 men and women of Jewish faith served in every branch of the armed forces of the United States. Twenty-two Jews attained senior rank in the Armed Forces-- 18 were generals, 6 were major generals, 12 were brigadier generals, 1 was vice admiral, 2 were rear admirals, and 1 was a commodore. The total number of Jewish war casualties was 38,338; 11,000 Jews were killed, 7,000 in combat. Approximately 26,000 Jewish men and women in uniform received citations for valor and merit. The number of awards totaled 49,315, including 3 Congressional Medals of Honor, 66 Distinguished Service Crosses, 28 Nag Crosses, 41 Distinguished Service Medals, 244 Legions of Merit, 1,434 Silver Stars, 2,047 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 191 Soldier's Medals, 28 Navy and Marine Corps Medals, 4,641 Bronze Star Medals, 13,212 Air Medals, and 14,550 Purple Hearts. Today, we honor the heroism and patriotism posthumously of Sylvan Siegal, but we also pay tribute to the unsung heroism and patriotism of the American Jewish servicemen of World War