[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E67]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ISAIAS R. GOMEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2008

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I stand here today to honor and remember a 
community activist, friend, loving husband, and father--Isaias R. 
Gomez.
  Isaias passed away on January 18, 2008 at his home in Colton, 
California.
  He was born in Gallup, New Mexico, and was a resident of Colton, 
which is in my Congressional District, for almost 55 years.
  While born in New Mexico, Isaias was raised in Jalostotitlan, 
Jalisco, Mexico. There he met and married his wife, Jessie Gomez. He 
and Jessie returned to Gallup, where Isaias began to work in the coal 
mines. Then in 1953, he and Jessie moved to Colton, and Isaias went to 
work for the Santa Fe Railroad.
  Isaias and Jessie's 6 children--Rosa, Eloise, Isaias Jr., Yolanda, 
Tommy, and Terri--where all raised in Colton. After initially working 
with the railroad, Isaias eventually became a successful real estate 
developer and builder.
  I had the great privilege of knowing Isaias personally through his 
daughter Eloise and her husband Frank Reyes, who are both good friends 
of mine.
  In fact, I gave Eloise Reyes a ``Woman of the Year'' award in 1993, 
when I was in the California State Legislature. She was recognized for 
all her great work in the community, and for being a true trailblazer 
as the first Hispanic, female attorney in the Inland Empire.
  Isaias always let everyone know that his family was his greatest 
blessing. He cherished his time with them--especially the time he spent 
with his 9 grandchildren.
  Isaias will always be remembered for his amazing work ethic and his 
unending dedication to friends and family. His great influence on those 
around him is evidenced in the outstanding character of his children 
and grandchildren.
  In addition to his children and grandchildren, Isaias is survived by 
his wife Jessie; his sisters Angelita, Alfonsina, and Isabel; and his 
brothers Joel, Jesus, and Arturo.
  Let us take the time to pay tribute to this wonderful man. Let us 
celebrate the life he lived and the example he led.
  Although he is no longer with us, Isaias's legacy and spirit will 
continue to live on through the lives of everyone he has touched.
  The thoughts and prayers of my wife Barbara, my family and I are with 
his family at this time.

                          ____________________