[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 71 (Friday, June 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF UPSTANDING CITIZENS PHIL VARGAS, JOE VARGAS, KEN VARGAS, 
    LUCY VARGAS PROUSE, JOSE VARGAS, LETICIA VARGAS ORANGE COUNTY, 
                               CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2000

  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a family 
of upstanding citizens. These men and women are being recognized for 
giving their lives in service to their country and their communities. 
Each one of them has demonstrated excellence in their fields and they 
continue to accumulate awards of merit and outstanding performance. 
These remarkable members of the Vargas family make their homes in 
Orange County, California.
  Officer Phil Vargas, 31, was bom and graduated from high school in 
Anaheim, California. He joined the U.S. Marines and participated in 
Desert Storm. As a result of his actions, he received many awards and 
recognitions, including the Good Conduct Medal and the Kuwait 
Liberation Medal. Later, he joined the Anaheim Police Department where 
he has received various commendations in his role as a police officer 
including ``Rookie of the Year.''
  Ken Vargas, 39, has lived in Orange County most of his life. He 
initially joined the Orange County Probation Department as a juvenile 
counselor. Today he is the manager of the Santa Ana Detention Facility, 
which has been recognized nationally for its efficient, humane, 
economical and practical methods of incarceration. In addition to his 
exemplary administrative skills, Mr. Vargas has served as an instructor 
at the Correctional Basic Academy and speaks at seminars all over the 
nation.
  Sgt. Joe Vargas, 43, has served as a police officer for many years in 
Orange County. His career began at age 14 when he joined the Stanton 
Police Department Explorer Program. Today he is a Sergeant with the 
Anaheim Police Department and its Public Information Officer. Among his 
numerous merits are Police Officer of the Year and founder of several 
police organizations. He teaches a karate class to children every 
Friday.
  Sgt. Lucy Vargas Prouse, 53, came to the United States as a child and 
has since become a proud U.S. citizen. She first joined the Riverside 
Sheriff's Department as a Correctional Deputy. She later was promoted 
to Correctional Sergeant and currently is a Supervisor at the Banning 
Correctional Facility. Her accolades include the Gold Star Award and 
recognition from the California Board of Corrections.
  Officer Jose Vargas, 64, was born in Mexico and came to the United 
States as a teenager. As a young man he worked as a garbage truck 
driver while studying English at night. At age 30 he received his high 
school diploma. Three years later he became an American citizen and a 
police officer. He is now the Hispanic Affairs Officer for the Santa 
Ana Police Department. His hard work and dedication have earned him 
hundreds of commendations, including being selected as ``One of the 10 
Best Cops in the USA'' by Parade Magazine.
  Leticia Vargas, also born in Mexico, is a dynamic community activist 
who advocates for women, minorities and low-income residents. Her broad 
range of service includes seats on the Sheriff's Advisory Council and 
the District Attorney Hispanic Commission. In addition, she teaches 
young women about the rights and responsibilities of citizens and has 
worked with the Mexican American Arts Council developing programs to 
extend access of the arts to low income residents. She has served on 
several boards of directors such as the Legal Aid Society of Orange 
County, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Homeless Issues 
Task Force.
  Each of these members of the Vargas family has answered the call of 
civic duty in a manner that is inspirational and worthy of recognition. 
They have achieved extraordinary feats even though many of them came 
from humble and modest beginnings. The Vargas family serves as a role 
model of dedication to community and country. I ask you to join with me 
today in commemorating this deserving family for the service which they 
have unselfishly given and continue to give.

                          ____________________