[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 11 (Thursday, January 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF SLAIN SAN ANTONIO POLICE OFFICER FABIAN DOMINGUEZ

                                 ______


                           HON. FRANK TEJEDA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 19, 1995

  Mr. TEJEDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a grim duty, to report to 
you and the House the senseless murder of Fabian Dominguez, a patrolman 
who served valiantly on the San Antonio Police Force. In an act of 
selfless duty, he lost his life at the hands of young thugs.
  The details are poignant: On his way home from his shift, Patrolman 
Dominguez stopped to investigate a suspicious situation at his 
neighbor's home. He surprised some would-be burglars and was shot to 
death. Three teenagers have been charged with his murder.
  At his funeral, the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, the Reverend 
Buckner Fanning, is reported to have said: ``Fabian was off-duty. Duty 
didn't require he stop. But love did. Commitment did. Love for God. 
Love for his neighbor. Love always stops where there's trouble. Love 
never takes a vacation. Love is never off-duty.'' These words ring 
true.
  We in this Congress must continue to strive to convince our youth, 
our children, that life is precious, not something to be thrown away 
casually. We hear about a lack of values in our society, and it stems 
from the failure to recognize the special unique spirit of each human. 
It stems from a lack of self-respect. Our challenge is to create 
incentives to put that ultimate value, the value of human life, into 
the hearts of all of us.
  Each day, in San Antonio and in other cites, towns, and counties 
across this country, law enforcement officers put their lives on the 
line to protect us from those who would do us harm. Some walk the beat, 
some patrol in cars, on horseback or bicycles, and yet others serve 
from behind the desk. Brave men and women, dedicated to public safety, 
give us their all, and it is appropriate for us in this House of 
Representatives to pay tribute to each of them.
  Patrolman Dominguez was laid to rest with full honors yesterday. In 
recognition of his service, Police Chief William Gibson retired badge 
No. 0399, worn proudly by Mr. Dominguez. Our hearts go out to his 
family, and particularly to his wife and twin 8-month-old daughters, 
who will look at the American flag given to them, first draped over 
their husband's and father's coffin, with pride and sadness.

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