HONORING STAFF SEARGENT FELIX LOPEZ ON HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY

HONORING STAFF SEARGENT FELIX LOPEZ ON HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E125] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING STAFF SEARGENT FELIX LOPEZ ON HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY ______ HON. DARREN SOTO of florida in the house of representatives Thursday, February 13, 2025 Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Staff Seargent Felix Lopez was born on February 17, 1925, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. He was raised with his brother, Lorenzo, by his single mother, Calixta Bonano. SSG Lopez entered the Army voluntarily in 1943 at the age of 17 and served as a rifleman with the 65th Infantry Regiment--known as the Borinqueneers-- in Europe during World War II. He was later called to duty in 1952 to serve in the Korean War. SSG Lopez remained on active duty and served with the 972nd Signal Battalion, USARPAC, in Qui Nhon, Vietnam. After numerous postings throughout the United States, including three tours in Germany, SSG Lopez retired from the military in 1971 with over 23 years of dedicated service. He then returned to Puerto Rico and became a U.S. Marshal. SSG Lopez proudly served the Puerto Rican people until 1978, when he moved with his family to Orlando, Florida. For his selfless and dedicated military service, SSG Lopez's awards and decorations include an Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal (5th award), American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (with Germany clasp), Nation Defense Service Medal (with bronze silver star), Korean Service Medal (with two bronze service stars), Vietnam Service Medal (with two bronze serving stars), United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon (with Devise--1960), and Expert Badge (with carbine bar & rifle bar). On April 13, 2016, in Washington, D.C., SSG Lopez and members of the Borinqueneers were presented with a Congressional Gold Medal for the regiment's valorous service in WWI, WWII, and Korea. He is lovingly known as Felix ``The Cat'' Lopez, his favorite childhood cartoon. He has dedicated his life to his wife, Carmen, and three daughters, Maria, Mayra, and Sonia: his six grandchildren, Lourdes, Wendy, Kelly, Christian, Jonathan, and Giovanny; his nine great grandchildren, Joshua, Alyssa, Loriann, Alina, Briana, Lymarie, Lera, Emma, and Camilla; and his 3 great-great grandchildren, Victoria, Valentina, and Jenesis. ____________________