[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 96 (Tuesday, July 16, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H4681-H4682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF BENNY HERNANDEZ

  (Ms. SANCHEZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1

[[Page H4682]]

minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of Benny 
Hernandez, a man who lived life to the fullest and touched the lives of 
many in Orange County and southern California.
  Benny began his career as a social worker, but teaching was where his 
heart was. Benny was always fighting to keep kids in school. He helped 
to inspire young children from the beginning of their educational 
careers through the program ``Kinder-Caminata.'' Through this program, 
thousands of kindergarteners throughout Orange County were exposed to 
college campuses, instilling in them a desire to work for a college 
degree.
  A modest man, Benny once said that he won his election for the 
Anaheim City School Board on $8.13 and a prayer, referring to the money 
he used to buy wire to hang his election signs. He won because of all 
of the students he inspired who, in turn, went out door to door to get 
him elected. In fact, my husband, on seeing such a scene, referred to 
him as ``Benny and the Jets.''
  On Thursday, July 11, Benny lost a hard-fought battle against brain 
cancer; and although he was taken away from us at an early age, he will 
certainly not be forgotten.
  God bless you, Benny.

                          ____________________