[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 130 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1665-E1666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ALFREDO PEREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 1996

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with the utmost pleasure and pride 
that I rise today to recognize Mr. Alfredo Perez for his inspiration as 
a hard working American, dedicated teacher and valiant victim of crime.
  Alfredo Perez was born in a small town in Jalisco, Mexico on November 
23, 1965. When he was a boy of 8, he, his mother Maria Guadalupe 
Contreras de Perez and his seven siblings, Carlos, Francisco, Bertha, 
Hector, Guillermo, Jesus and Abelam emigrated to Oxnard, CA, to rejoin 
his father, Jose Perez. He attended El Rio Elementary School, then went 
on to Rio Del Valle Junior High. Alfredo received his high school 
diploma from Rio Mesa High School.
  In the Fall of 1985 Alfredo entered the University of California Los 
Angeles [UCLA]. In order to pay for his schooling, he worked several 
part-time jobs. Alfredo graduated from UCLA in 1989 with a major in 
Sociology and a specialization in Business Administration.
  Shortly after graduating from UCLA, Alfredo decided to enter the 
teaching profession. The importance of educating future generations was 
a challenge he took on with great devotion, commitment and love for 
children. He wanted to be a role model for children in the inner city. 
His main goal was to instill in them the desire to educate themselves 
and to make a difference in this world.
  On the morning of February 22, 1996, Alfredo Perez was where he 
wanted to be--with his students. His 5th grade students were in the 
library at Figueroa Street Elementary School in Los Angeles. Gunfire 
from a gang-related incident disrupted the quiet building, and a stray 
bullet struck and entered Alfredo's brain. Despite suffering this 
potentially fatal would, Alfredo's primary concern remained the safety 
of his school children. Paramedics found him waving the children to 
seek safe haven.
  This incident has had a tremendous impact on our city for the simple 
fact that Alfredo is a gifted young individual who dedicated himself to 
helping the most vulnerable and precious members of our society: 
children. The obligation to work with the children of the inner

[[Page E1666]]

city is all too often lost among other, often selfish, priorities. 
Continuing his studies to become a school principal, Alfredo considered 
his work with children in the inner city his calling.
  While at UCLA, Alfredo met, fell in love with, and married Virginia 
Navar. Ms. Navar also studied to become a teacher and is presently on 
leave from the Los Angeles Unified School District assisting Alfredo 
with his recovery. Virginia, his supportive family and numerous well-
wishers have been the constant hope in Alfredo's recuperation.
  Mr. Speaker, on September 22, 1996, several alumni associations from 
some of California's most prestigious universities have joined forces 
and will host a special reception to pay tribute to Alfredo Perez for 
the mobilizing efforts he has inspired and for the dedication he has 
given to the children of Los Angeles. It is with great pride that I ask 
my colleagues to join me in saluting this exceptional individual for 
his outstanding service to the children of Los Angeles.

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