Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Master Sergeant Jessey J. Baca, a dedicated service member, proud family man and loyal civil servant who is entering a well-deserved retirement.

Jessey's burning passion for his country is a distinctive characteristic that he has embodied throughout his life. On October 1, 1977, just a year before graduating high school in Los Lunas, New Mexico, Jessey enlisted in the United States Navy delayed entry program.

Jessey went on to serve 4 years in the Navy aboard the USS Coral Sea CV 43 with Squadron VA 27 out of Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. In 1983, Jessey joined the New Mexico Air National Guard as an Electronics Technician in the Avionics department to work on A-7s and F-16 fighters. In total Jessey would spend over 37 years in military service and 32 years in federal service to the United States of America, seeing to our interests across the globe, from Belgium to Chile, France to Iceland, and halfway around the world to China.

But it was Jessey's service in Iraq that would ultimately alter the course of his life. When Jessey returned to the United States, he was confronted with a multitude of ailments: everything from cancer, to chronic bronchiolitis, chemical induced asthma, brain lesions, TBI, PTSD and a host of other health complications. There was strong reason to believe that this was caused by exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

As Jessey explained:

``Contractors were burning all the waste. Anything from

body parts to metal and everything in between. Computer

parts, batteries, whatever could go in there were burned and

it would burn 24-7.''

In unprecedented fashion, Jessey spearheaded a movement to create a national registry for veterans affected by bum pits during their service. Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico, after meeting with Jessey, decidedly introduced the Open Burn Pit Registry Act of 2011 (S. 1798) with Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee.

On January 10, 2013, Jessey's vision became a reality when President Obama signed into law legislation creating a national bum pit registry. The truth is that Jessey's life's work is a testament to true patriotism; not only did he fight and serve bravely on behalf of the American people, he spoke up for his fellow service members and successfully created lasting protections for current, and future veterans returning home.

As Jessey enters his retirement, he looks forward to celebrating loving memories and time with his wife, and high school sweetheart, Maria Margaret Baca, his two girls Victoria Baca-Garcia, and Racheal Elizabeth Baca-Sweeney, and three grandchildren Ireland Ajai Lowe, Logan Kai Sweeney, and Zachary Kaikoa Garcia. Jessey's esteemed character, defined by selflessness, enthusiasm, and love of life are felt by all who know him. As he enters retirement I hope he continues to inspire future generations to give back as much as he has to our wonderful country.