[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 130 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LATINO PEACE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 1996

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in 
honoring the Latino Peace Officer's Association [LPOA] for its many 
years of dedication to providing opportunities for Latino peace 
officers. On September 22, 1996, the membership of the LPOA will gather 
in Las Vegas for their annual conference.
  Founded in 1972 by Vincente Calderon of the California Highway 
Patrol, and John Parraz of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, 
LPOA formed to develop a system to address inequality and injustices 
which affected Latino peace officers in law enforcement organizations. 
The objectives of the LPOA at its formation were: recruiting qualified 
Latino peace officers; mentoring Latino officers engaged in the 
probationary phase of employment; educating and training Latino 
officers through conferences and workshops; and encouraging Latino 
officers to participate in the promotional process of their respective 
law enforcement agencies. Today, the LPOA continues to strive to meet 
these objectives, and operates as a nonprofit organization.
  The LPOA has had many accomplishments since its formation. The LPOA 
was instrumental in obtaining bilingual pay for officers in the 
California Highway Patrol. As a result of this action, other police 
agencies within the State of California implemented the same bilingual 
pay program. In 1977, members of the Santa Clara chapter were 
instrumental in requiring Santa Clara County to show good faith efforts 
in their hiring and promotional process. This set a precedent and a 
mandate for all law enforcement agencies to show good faith in hiring.
  The LPOA has shown its dedication to public service and to the 
communities it serves. The organization is committed to maintaining 
appropriate contact with both the community and legislative forces 
which can promote issues specific to LPOA's objectives, and the Latino 
community. Deserving special recognition are the National Executive 
Board: Gary A. Dominguez, president; Daniel D. Hernandez, first vice 
president; Adrian Garcia, second vice president; Fred V. Sainz, 
treasurer; Patricia M. Mora, secretary; Lorenzo Provencio, 
parliamentarian; Andrew J. Cruz, historian; John A. Messina, Jr., 
general counsel; Dr. Armando J. Islas, legislative chairman; and State 
presidents; Lou Espindola, Arizona; Jose C. Miramontes, California; 
Bill Aguirre, Kansas/Missouri; Eliezer Gonzalez, Massachusetts; Felipe 
A. Ortiz, Nevada; David L. Guzman, New Mexico; Richard Rodriguez, 
Texas; and J. Luis Lopez, Wisconsin.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Latino 
Peace Officer's Association for its many years of dedication to the 
communities it serves.

                          ____________________