[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 126 (Thursday, July 25, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E989-E990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING CHP OFFICER WALTER FRAGO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2019

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
sacrifice of California Highway Patrol Officer Walter Carroll Frago. On

[[Page E990]]

April 5, 1970, Officer Frago was one of four CHP officers tragically 
gunned down in a police shooting near Interstate 5. In remembrance of 
his sacrifice, a section of State Highway 99 in Merced is being 
dedicated to him and his colleague, Officer Roger Gore.
  Born on December 22, 1946 to Augustine L. Frago and Rose M. Piovano, 
Officer Frago was the third of seven children in the family. He 
graduated from Our Lady of Mercy High School and later Merced College. 
In 1965, he married Nicola B. Dunaway, together they had two daughters 
Amorette and Gabriell. In 1968, he began his career as a CHP officer.
  On April 5, 1970, Officers Frago and Gore were the first to respond 
to a suspect who had been reported brandishing a weapon. Upon pulling 
over a vehicle with two men, a gun fight ensued leaving Officers Frago 
and Gore, as well as Officers George Aleyn and James Pence dead. This 
tragedy is one still remembered by the law enforcement community and 
Merced County residents as Officers Frago and Gore were both born and 
raised in Merced.
  In honor of Officer Frago's commitment to duty and sacrifice, the 
section of Highway 99 between Mission Avenue and Campus Parkway is 
being dedicated as the CHP Officers Walter Frago and Roger Gore 
Memorial Freeway. This location is fitting, as Campus Parkway will 
eventually connect Highway 99 to the University of California, Merced 
campus. This section of highway being dedicated will continue to ensure 
our local community and future generations remember and honor the 
sacrifice of these two young officers, each of whom lost their lives at 
23-years-old on that tragic day.
  The CHP Officers Walter Frago and Roger Gore Memorial Freeway 
symbolizes the sacrifice these two gentlemen gave for all citizens to 
help continue building a better future for our community and country. 
Furthermore, it will help bridge Merced County's past to its present 
and remind community members of the dedication to duty exhibited by 
these two fine officers.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the duty 
and sacrifice of CHP Officer Walter Frago. It is both fitting and 
appropriate that we honor him as the CHP Officers Walter Frago and 
Roger Gore Memorial Freeway is dedicated. I wish his family, the 
California Highway Patrol, and the Merced law enforcement community the 
best as this section of Highway 99 is dedicated in his honor.

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