[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E75]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF MANUEL A. GONZALEZ, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 25, 2005

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to 
honor the life of Manuel A. Gonzalez Jr., a California corrections 
officer and family friend, who was brutally stabbed to death by an 
inmate at the California Institute for Men at Chino. He is the first 
corrections officer to be killed in the line of duty in California 
since 1985.
  Manuel was born on September 15, 1961, in East Los Angeles. His 
family moved to Chicago, where he spent part of his youth before 
returning to Santa Fe Springs, where he made his home. He graduated 
from Pioneer High School and subsequently joined the United States 
Army. He spent his tour of duty in Germany, where he was joined by his 
brother David and his cousin Alex. Manuel remained in the Army Reserve 
until 1988.
  Upon his return from the Army, Manuel made his home in Whittier. His 
uncle, a corrections sergeant, recruited him for the Department of 
Corrections. The idea of a law enforcement career had always interested 
Manuel, so he joined the Department in 1988. He was excited by the 
challenge of the job and put much effort into his work. He was first 
assigned to Corcoran Prison where he gained valuable experience. In 
1993, he was transferred to Lancaster Prison and became a seasoned 
officer. To be closer to his family, Manuel was transferred to the 
California Institute for Men at Chino in 1998. There he became an 
expert in gang identification and a leader among his peers, who had 
great respect for him. He had opportunities to be promoted to sergeant 
and to transfer to parole, but he remained on the front line because it 
was the job he loved.
  Manuel loved sports. He enjoyed watching his favorite teams; the 
Raiders, Lakers, Dodgers, U.S.C. basketball and football, and the L.A. 
Kings. He was also very active with his children, taking them to 
football and baseball practice and coaching as time allowed.
  Manuel leaves behind six children. His 22 year old son Mark is 
following in his father's footsteps. Mark spent four years in the U.S. 
Navy and is an Iraq War veteran. He is now pursuing a career in law 
enforcement. Steven is 17, Roxanna 15, Jessica 14, Manuel 4, and 
Gustavo 3. Manuel is also survived by his parents, Manuel Sr. and 
Bertha, his brother David, and sisters Rosalinda and Delia.
  We all owe a great debt of gratitude to Manuel. He knew the danger he 
faced but would not be deterred from his duties walking the toughest 
beat in California. I have spent time with the family during this 
tragedy, and I wish to express my sincere sympathy to them as well as 
the extended family who have all been devastated by the loss of one so 
loved. The entire law enforcement community, especially the California 
Department of Corrections is in mourning for a lost brother. I ask that 
all of my colleagues join me to honor this fallen hero who has made the 
ultimate sacrifice.

                          ____________________