[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 117 (Thursday, July 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING RICK GONZALES, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2018

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rick Gonzales, 
Sr. and his family for their selfless service to their community.
   As a young child, Rick Gonzales, Sr. made it to the fifth grade 
before it became evident that he needed to work on the family farm to 
help provide for the family, but his desire to learn and have a good 
education never wavered. As a young adult, Rick Sr. was drafted and 
proudly served our country during the WWII Pacific campaign in Okinawa. 
Upon his honorable discharge he enrolled in barber school, where he met 
his wife, Angela. Together, they raised four sons, Laverne, Rick Jr., 
Garry and Jerry. Barber school would soon prove to be far more than a 
career decision; it was a move that would begin Rick's lifelong journey 
as an agent for change.
   In 1953, Rick Sr. opened Rick's Top Hat barbershop, and the business 
soon became the central hub of information on political and social 
issues. Soon after, Rick and Angela knew that women in the community 
would also be an important component, and Angela opened Velvet Touch 
Beauty Salon. Rick Sr. had a passion to make a difference. He wanted to 
give a voice to the voiceless and restore hope to those who couldn't. 
Rick and Angela relished in these ``teaching moments,'' of listening, 
guiding and helping their community.
   In 1970, Rick became co-founder of the Mexican-American Concilio of 
Yolo County, which operated with five employees serving the Latino 
community. Rick Gonzales, Sr. has been recognized by his community for 
his outstanding accomplishments and activism. The Yolo County 
Department of Social Services has named their building the Rick 
Gonzales Building and in 2018, the city of Woodland honored him by 
naming their newest park after him.
   Rick Gonzales, Sr. valued education and instilled the importance in 
his children as they were growing up. All four pursued and received 
higher education degrees with three receiving their Masters degrees. 
Continuing his father's legacy and under his mentorship until 2004, 
Rick Gonzales, Jr. joined the Concilio and currently serves as their 
President. In 1998, under his leadership, Rick Jr. created the Annual 
Concilio Recognition Dinner & Scholarship Fundraiser, which awarded two 
scholarships the first year. Rick has devoted the past twenty years 
raising awareness for the scholarship dinners and this year reached a 
milestone of raising $400,000 for 1000 scholarships awarded. His 
passion and service to the community is admirable.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Rick 
Gonzales, Sr. and his family for their incredible dedication, selfless 
service and contributions to the Yolo County community.

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