WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) introduced H.R. 8529 the Private Felix Z. Longoria Veterans’ Memorial Post Office to honor the legacy of fallen Mexican American war hero, Felix Longoria, by renaming the U.S. Post Office located at 110 E. Alexander St., Three Rivers, TX 78071 in his honor.
“Private Longoria is a hero. He made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II and his legacy must not be forgotten,” stated Congressman Gonzalez. “His family’s struggle for a proper military funeral echoes the struggle for equality and recognition Mexican Americans have faced throughout our nation’s history. I introduced this legislation in remembrance of the sacrifice Private Longoria and many other military service members gave to protect freedom at home and abroad.”
Private Felix Longoria, a Mexican American soldier from Three Rivers, Texas, was serving in the Philippines in 1945 during World War II. Just a few months before the end of the war, Private Longoria was killed in action.
After a funeral home in Three Rivers refused to bury his body due to his Hispanic heritage, Private Longoria’s body was eventually laid to rest in the Arlington National Cemetery at the insistence of then-U.S. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, after spending four years in a temporary grave in the Philippines.
You can read the full text of the bill here.
Original source can be found here.
