Rep. Sylvia Garcia Files Legislation to Remember the Life of Ft. Hood Soldier Vanessa Guillén
Media Contact: Sara Guerrero (DC): Email: Sara.Guerrero@mail.house.gov; Cell: 202-227-0330
WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29) filed legislation to rename the post office located at 5302 Galveston Road in Houston, Texas, in honor of Houston-native and former Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillén. Congresswoman Garcia previously filed the legislation last Congress (H.R. 8453).
Congresswoman Garcia was joined by a bipartisan group of Representatives from the Texas delegation including Representatives Joaquin Castro, (TX-20) Brian Babin (TX-36), Filemon Vela (TX-34), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Chip Roy (TX-21), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Van Taylor (TX-3), Roger Williams (TX-25), and Al Green (TX-9).
Vanessa Guillén was born on Sept. 30, 1999. As a child, Vanessa was a quiet, intelligent, and diligent student from elementary school through high school. From the time she was 12 years old, she told her father she dreamed of serving in the Army. Upon graduating from César Chávez E. High School in the top 15% of her class, she promptly enlisted where she was trained as a 91F, small arms/artillery repairer.
Tragically, Guillén was killed while serving at Fort Hood, leaving a hole in the hearts of her family and the Houston community. Vanessa was just 20 years old at the time of her passing.
Statement from Congresswoman Garcia:
"This post office is located a few blocks away from Vanessa's high school, and it is my hope that her memory will inspire future generations of students for years to come" said Congresswoman Garcia.
"Renaming this post office in Vanessa's honor won't bring her back, but it will help the community celebrate her legacy. I'm proud to refile this legislation in the 117th Congress, and I thank my colleagues from the Texas delegation for their support" said Congresswoman Garcia.
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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District.