[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 8 (Thursday, February 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         SALUTE TO RAY GONZALES

                                 ______


                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 3, 1994

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to honor a 
brave man who risked his life to save an innocent victim last December 
during the worst mass murder in Ventura County's history.
  Ray Gonzales, an insurance and financial services specialist in 
Oxnard, CA was truly in the right place at the right time, and I 
believe his exploits deserve our recognition.
  Mr. Gonzales was leaving his office on December 2, 1993, when he 
noticed a disturbance at the nearby office of the California Employment 
Development Department. As he is experienced at giving CPR, he made a 
U-turn and headed to the EDD office. When he pulled up, he saw Irma 
Lopez--an EDD employee and the wife of Oxnard Mayor Manuel Lopez--under 
fire by a deranged gunman.
  Mindless of his own safety, Mr. Gonzales jumped out of his vehicle, 
dragged Mrs. Lopez into it, and sped off to a nearby hospital. Although 
seriously wounded, I am pleased to report that Mrs. Lopez is expected 
to make a full recovery. Tragically, three of her coworkers were 
murdered in the attack.
  Modestly, Mr. Gonzales later said he was not a hero for his actions. 
He said, and I quote,

       A hero is one that goes above and beyond the line of duty, 
     as Officer O'Brien did by giving his life. I just did what 
     any ordinary citizen is obligated to do.

  Officer Jim O'Brien, the Oxnard police officer killed by the gunman, 
was indeed a hero, but Mr. Speaker, so was Ray Gonzales. Next 
Wednesday, the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce and the Oxnard Press Courier 
will honor him for his heroism at the 47th annual Community Awards 
Night, and I ask my colleagues to join in saluting him as well.

                          ____________________