November 7, 2003

HARMAN AND CUNNINGHAM PROPOSE ARLINGTON MEMORIAL
FOR NON-CITIZENS KILLED IN ACTION

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice), and Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-San Diego), today introduced the “Memorial to Non-Citizen’s Patriot Act,” which would authorize construction of a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery honoring the service and sacrifice of non-citizens killed in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“This legislation will give us a proper way to recognize foreign citizens who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom,” said Congressman Cunningham. One of Cunningham’s constituents, Lance Corporal Jesus A. Suarez Del Solar, was killed in action earlier this year. He was a citizen of Mexico. “Men and women from several countries including the Philippines, Mexico, China, Vietnam and more have made the ultimate sacrifice. This memorial will surely honor them for their enduring contribution.”

“Our country, while divided in its views on specific military actions, is united in its support for our service men and women who defend our freedom,” said Congresswoman Harman. To date, at least 17 foreign-born non-citizen members of the American military have died in Iraq. One of them was Lomita resident Marine Lance Corporal Jose Gutierrez, a citizen of Guatemala. “This simple gesture would recognize the valor and honor of men and women like Lance Corporal Gutierrez who fought and died for their adopted nation.”

Non-citizen soldiers are not new to the war with Iraq. Thousands of non-citizens fought for the Union Army in the Civil War, and roughly one in five wartime draftees during World War I was foreign born, and approximately nine percent were non-citizens. At least 31,000 non-citizens served in the Korean War, and today, approximately five percent - or 37,000 non-citizens - serve in the Armed Forces and another 12,000 serve in the Selected Reserves.

The bill would authorize $500,000 to construct the Memorial, and would also encourage private contributions.

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