Chuck Hagel

Mr. Presdient, I wish to express my sympathy over the loss of U.S. Army captain Robert Yllescas. Captain Yllescas, a native Guatemalan and graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, died on December 1 from injuries he sustained from an improvised explosive device in the mountains of Afghanistan on October 28. He was 31 years old.

After spending the first 18 years of his life in Guatemala, Captain Yllescas moved to Nebraska, where he enrolled in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and joined the ROTC. He married his wife Dena in her hometown of Osceola, NE. A graduate of Army Ranger school, Captain Yllescas' service included two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, where he proved to be an exemplary leader. As the commander of B Troop, 6-4 Cavalry of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, he led 90 U.S. and 200 Afghan soldiers in Nuristan province. He was awarded the Purple Heart by President Bush on November 10.

All of Nebraska is proud of Captain Yllescas' service to our country, as well as the thousands of brave men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Captain Yllescas is remembered as a devoted husband, father, and son. In addition to his wife Dena, he is survived by his daughters, Julia, 7, and Eva, 10 months; and parents Otto and Barb.

I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring U.S. Army CPT Robert Yllescas.

Madam President, I rise to express my sympathy over the loss of United States Marine Corps Corporal Adrian Robles of Scottsbluff, NE. Corporal Robles died on October 22 from injuries he sustained while supporting combat operations in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan.

A graduate of Scottsbluff High School, Corporal Robles, who was 21 years old, was an exemplary marine. Throughout his service, which included a tour in Iraq during 2006, Corporal Robles received three medals of Good Conduct from the Marine Corps; two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; the Afghanistan Campaign Medal; the Iraq Campaign Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; and the Purple Heart.

All of Nebraska is proud of Corporal Robles' service to our country, as well as the thousands of brave men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Corporal Robles is remembered as a devoted son and brother. He is survived by his parents Cesar and Yolanda; sister Beatriz; and stepsiblings Cesar and Ricardo Robles and Yovana Chaparro.

I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Adrian Robles.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to speak--I assume we are in morning business.

For up to 20 minutes.

Mr. President, thank you. I am very pleased you are in the chair this afternoon. For those who are not aware of the fact that Nebraska's entire Senate delegation is on the Senate floor today, one who will soon become the senior Senator is presiding. So, thank you, Mr. President.