August 7, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 141 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E739-E740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE OF LANCE CPL. MARCO A. BARRANCO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 7, 2020

  Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to mourn 
the tragic loss of Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco from Montebello, 
California. Lance Cpl. Barranco, known to his loved ones and friends as 
``Andy,'' proudly served our country as a United States Marine in the 
15th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Pendleton.
  On Thursday, July 30th, Lance Cpl. Barranco was training on an 
amphibious assault vehicle off the coast of San Clemente Island, 
California. Due to an incident that is still under investigation, the 
vehicle sank hundreds of feet into the water. Lance Cpl. Barranco and 
seven other Marines and one Sailor of the 15th Marine Expeditionary 
Unit were killed or presumed dead. Seven Marines were rescued following 
the incident, two of whom were injured.
  I offer my deepest condolences to Lance Cpl. Barranco's loved ones 
and friends for their heartbreaking loss. He exemplified the best of 
our armed forces and was known to his family, friends, and neighbors as 
an incredibly kind man who would do anything to help those in need. His 
sister, Selma, noted that he always wanted to serve his country, even 
as a boy when he dressed up like a G.I. Joe for Halloween.
  Though Lance Cpl. Barranco was taken before he had the chance to 
fully live out the promise of his life, he had already fulfilled so 
much of that promise as a rifleman in the United States Marine Corps. 
His passing is a loss not just for all who were lucky to know him, but 
for a nation for which he put his life on the line. He is survived by 
his two sisters, a niece and an unborn nephew, and both of

[[Page E740]]

his parents. I ask my colleagues to join me in keeping Lance Cpl. 
Barranco's loved ones in our prayers. As the investigation into the 
cause of this tragedy continues, I hope all the families of the fallen 
find peace during this painful time.

                          ____________________