[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 5 (Tuesday, February 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E78-E79]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         TRIBUTE TO OSCAR LOYA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 1998

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a beloved and remembered 
man. Oscar Loya the superintendent of Alisal Union School District and 
community hero died on January 26th, 1998.
  Oscar helped foster strong involvement in his home, the Salinas 
Valley, by being ``an inspirational leader and a person who operated 
from the heart'' (Roxanne Regules, principal of Caesar Chavez School). 
Last year Loya received a recognition of his accomplishments by 
President Clinton for bringing PeaceBuilders, a violence reduction 
program, to Salinas schools.
  Immigrating to the United States at age 7, Mr. Loya, always concerned 
for others, gave many years of service toward improving the quality of 
education for migrant children. ``He

[[Page E79]]

was very caring about what happen with his students and what direction 
they were headed'' (Stephanie Lopez, a former student and first grade 
teacher).
  In return, the community was there for Loya. When it was discovered 
that he needed a bone marrow transplant, hundreds flocked to have their 
bone marrow tested during six drives in his honor. Although no matching 
donor was found, Loya helped to raise awareness of the need for bone 
marrow donors.
  In the Salinas Valley a true champion is lost. My thoughts remain 
with his family.

                          ____________________