[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING DAVE PEREA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2006

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dave Perea, a 
longtime Rosemead resident and Teamsters union member, who passed away 
on February 14, 2006.
  Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Dave was the second oldest of 11 
siblings and had 6 older half-siblings. Dave attended East Los Angeles 
schools including Hammel Elementary School, Belvedere Junior High, and 
Garfield High School. He also attended East Los Angeles College for a 
year before putting his studies aside to support his family during his 
father's illness.
  Dave became a Teamster and held various jobs before joining Momentum 
Textiles, where he worked for 22 years and retired in 1998. He was a 
surrogate parent for the friends of his children and was affectionately 
known as the ``Mayor of Charlotte Street.''
  In 2003 Dave became deeply involved with the grassroots organization, 
Save Our Community, which is committed to stopping plans to build a 
Wal-Mart in a pristine area just two blocks from his house. Dave was a 
driving force for Save Our Community and was instrumental in many of 
its efforts. Whenever anyone in the organization needed anything, he 
was there to lend a helping hand.
  Dave is survived by his mother, Rosita, and 10 of his siblings; his 
wife, Mary Ellen; his daughters, Suzanne, Doreen, and Joanne; and his 
grandchildren, Nicholas, Andrew, Erica, Austin, Matthew, and Amber. He 
will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and the community.

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