Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25) cosponsored legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 U.S. military servicemembers who were recently killed in Afghanistan. 
 
The legislation will award the Congressional Gold Medal to Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole Gee, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan Page, Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, Cpl. David Lee Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, Hospitalman Maxton Soviak and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss. 
 
“Rebecca and I send our deepest condolences to the families of the 13 U.S. servicemembers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Kabul, Afghanistan last week. We have truly lost some of our nation’s best,” said Garcia. “These brave servicemembers gave their lives while protecting the lives of others and they will be remembered as heroes. Awarding these service members the Congressional Gold MedaI will formally recognize and honor these American heroes that died giving the last full measure of devotion. Going forward, we must honor their sacrifice by finishing their mission of evacuating every American and Afghan ally still stranded in Afghanistan. We must leave no one behind.” 
 
Click here to read the full text of the bill.