[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 70 (Wednesday, May 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E809-E810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF FRANCISCO ``FRANK'' ALVAREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2012

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my dear 
friend, Mr. Francisco ``Frank'' Alvarez. He passed suddenly this week 
and his passing is a devastating loss to our entire community. Frank 
served as the Deputy District Attorney for the Stanislaus County 
District Attorney's office.
  Frank was born July 13, 1954, in East Los Angeles. Mr. Alvarez served 
four years in the Air Force as a teletype repairman before starting his 
law career. He began working at the District Attorney's office in 1990. 
He prosecuted a number of misdemeanor and felony crimes from domestic 
violence to consumer fraud. Frank secured the first conviction against 
a gang member who violated the south Modesto gang injunction as a 
prosecutor for the gang unit; however, he spent the better part of his 
career--10 years--in the juvenile division.
  ``While he always made sure the young people were accountable for 
their actions, he was also very much focused on rehabilitation,'' said 
Ruben Villalobos, a defense attorney and a friend of Mr. Alvarez's. 
``There are a lot of young people who moved beyond their criminal 
behavior because of Frank.''
  In addition to his work at the District Attorney's office, Frank 
Alvarez served the community both as an advocate and also as the 
Commander of the American GI Forum. As a veteran, Frank knew how 
important service to our nation is. His life was an example to others. 
He was selfless and never hesitated to help a young person realize 
their goals and strive for success. Frank was known throughout our 
community for his outstanding community service.
  He has also served on a number of boards and committees, including 
the Girl Scouts, the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, the 
Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors Mental Health Board and the 
Turlock Unified School District Criminal Justice Committee. Since 1992, 
he participated in the Stanislaus County Mock Trial competition and has 
helped organize the Fourth of July parade, Veterans Day parade and 
Cinco de Mayo parade.
  He recently was appointed as a member on the California Mexican-
American War Memorial and was the commander of the American

[[Page E810]]

GI Forum. The organization raises money for scholarships for veterans 
and future military, but Mr. Alvarez and another member had the idea of 
starting a scholarship for teachers to help augment the money they pay 
out of pocket for classroom costs.
  ``He was a district attorney, but he was real down to earth,'' said 
Fred Garcia, an American GI Forum vice commander. ``He never was 
assuming. He could deal with people from all walks of life, from 
homeless people to dignitaries.''
  Mr. Alvarez is survived by his wife, Sandra; daughter, Tanya; 
brothers Carlos, Alex and Luis; and sister, Sylvia, as well as nine 
nieces and nephews.
  Please join me in honoring the life of Frank Alvarez and his 
dedication to our nation and community. He will be missed by all of us 
as we look to comfort his family during this difficult time.

                          ____________________