[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 108 (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING RONNIE LOPEZ FOR HIS INDUCTION INTO VALLE DEL SOL'S HALL 
                                OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 2006

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to proudly pay 
tribute to an Arizonan who has exemplified the meanings of leadership, 
commitment to community, social justice and integrity. He is a highly-
regarded leader not only in Arizona, but nationally, and someone whom I 
am proud to call my friend--Mr. Ronnie Lopez.
  For more than 30 years, Ronnie Lopez has been a leader in various 
community and political endeavors that have improved the quality of 
life for Arizona's residents. For his work, he will be entered into the 
Valle Del Sol Hall of Fame during the 16th Annual Profiles of Success 
Hispanic Leadership Awards Celebration on September 8, 2006, in 
Phoenix, Arizona.
  Born in Miami, Arizona, Ronnie and his two brothers were raised by a 
single parent, Mrs. Vera Lopez, after the death of his father. Ronnie 
married his high school sweetheart, Angie, and together they headed to 
Phoenix in the late 1960's to pursue higher education ;cmd new 
opportunities. They have two outstanding sons, Paul and Marcos, and 
Paul and his wife Elizabeth are expecting a daughter in December, 
another point of pride for Ronnie as a first-time grandfather.
  Ronnie served in the administration of Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt 
for ten years, ultimately serving as his Chief of Staff. Ronnie had the 
honor of twice administering the oath of office to Babbitt: when then 
Attorney General Bruce Babbitt succeeded to the governorship in 1979 
and again in 1993 when Babbitt became the Secretary of Interior. He has 
served and continues to serve on numerous boards and commissions, 
including Bank of America, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, 
Friends of Sky Harbor Advisory Board, and the Governor's Commission on 
the September 11th Memorial.
  Most recently, Ronnie served as the co-chair of the 2006 City of 
Phoenix Bond Committee the work of which voters approved in March 2006. 
Ronnie also is the former presiding Justice of the Peace of the West 
Phoenix Precinct in Maricopa County. Ronnie also led the establishment 
of community based organizations like Valle del Sol, Inc., and Chicanos 
Por La Causa, Inc., two of the Valley's leading non-profit Hispanic 
advocacy organizations.
  He also has served on numerous political campaigns and sits on the 
National Democratic Business Council. Among his many accolades, in the 
year 2000, he was listed as one of the ``Most Influential Hispanics'' 
by Hispanic Business Magazine.
  Mr. Speaker, as you can surmise, Ronnie Lopez, a Miami Vandal, has 
exhibited a tireless and visionary commitment to making Arizona a 
better place to live for all people. He is an exemplary leader and a 
profoundly committed individual who is a true role model for the 
nation. Therefore, I am pleased to pay tribute to my friend Ronnie 
Lopez, and I know my colleagues will join me in thanking him and 
wishing him great success.

                          ____________________