[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 82 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MICKEY MENDOZA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 10, 1999

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late 
Mickey Mendoza of Saddle Brook, New Jersey, a young man whose life was 
ended in a tragic incident in Ecuador on April 11, 1999. Regrettably, 
to this day, no full explanation has been offered by Ecuadorian 
officials to describe the circumstances surrounding Mickey's death. All 
that we know for sure is that a bullet from a gun belonging to a police 
officer in Guayquil, Ecuador senselessly ended the life of a promising 
fourteen year old American citizen.
  I met with Mickey's parents, Galo and Doris and their three children 
shortly after this death and I know the pain they are enduring. Today I 
have come to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to say that 
I fully share the Mendoza family's desire to get to the bottom of how 
Mickey died. They are owed this answer and I intend to continue my work 
with U.S. officials in Ecuador to ensure that they get a full 
accounting of what led to Mickey's death.
  Mickey Mendoza was, in almost all respects, living the American 
dream. He was a bright and energetic student at Saddle Brook Middle 
School. He was active in sports, taking part in his school's wrestling 
team and playing soccer in a recreational league. In addition, after 
school, Mickey was attending confirmation classes at Mount Virgin Roman 
Catholic Church in Garfield, New Jersey. His creativity, his energy, 
his thoughtfulness, and all this has been taken from us.
  Father Paul Bochicchia, pastor of Mickey's church, after learning of 
his death, recounted that Mickey was especially protective of his 
little nine year old sister, Isabella. What better tribute than to 
remember Mickey as a fourteen year old boy who cared for his little 
sister. This tells us everything we need to know about who Mickey was 
and why his death has touched the lives of so many people.
  Among the many messages of sympathy that the Mendoza family have 
received, I read one that I would like to share with my colleagues. 
This letter was written by Anthony Maneri, Mickey's classmate at Saddle 
Brook Middle School; ``Mickey was a great pal. He always could make you 
laugh, even at sad times. He always knew the right things to say to 
make people laugh. He was a great friend and I am going to miss him. I 
will never forget him.''

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