[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 139 (Tuesday, August 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING KENNICE ALEX OF LOS ANGELES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NORMA J. TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 27, 2019

  Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the 
accomplishments of Kennice Alex in 40 years of service to the 
California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles Communications Center.
  ``Wow! Thank You!'' & ``There she goes!'' These are just a few 
expressions Kennice Alex hears from her co-workers on a daily basis. 
But before you can truly understand these expressions, you must first 
hear the many accomplishments of a woman who began her career with the 
California Highway Patrol 40 years ago.
  Kennice is a native of Los Angeles, California. She was born on 
September 26th, and has raised two amazing daughters: Tiffany and 
Brittany. While doing so, she was able to nurture and love three 
additional children, and is currently assisting in raising her 
grandson, all within Los Angeles. In addition to spending time with her 
family, Kennice enjoys many activities such: Water Aerobics, Zumba, and 
AARP Soul Steppers. Not only has she volunteered at different food 
banks in Los Angeles, she has also worked with the Lakers organization, 
helping feed the homeless on Thanksgiving Day. Her volunteer work does 
not stop there. She has donated items and worked with the Dream Center 
assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina; recruited coworkers, dubbed 
``Chippies Angeles,'' to donate items at the Louis Dantzler Preparatory 
Academy Middle School; and raised money for breast cancer patients at 
the City of Hope.
  Kennice began her career with the California Highway Patrol on July 
23, 1979. At work, Kennice is well-respected and referred to as ``Ms. 
Kennice''. She was part of the last training class to work on cards and 
one of the first to work on computers, as Los Angeles Communications 
Center served as the Pilot for CHP going live on Computer Aided 
Dispatch. During her tenure, Kennice served as a union representative 
for 26 years. While in this position, she attended numerous meetings in 
Sacramento with state legislators to discuss allocating funds for 
programs in public safety and 911 issues. During the many incidents 
Kennice has worked over the years, the 1199 Officer-involved shooting 
of Officers Martinez and Szabo is one she will never forget. While on 
duty, Kennice received the call for help from the Officers, and 
immediately began to work diligently to ensure both Officers received 
immediate assistance from all field personnel and allied agencies. 
Unbeknownst to Kennice and her beat partner, the outcome of this 
incident would leave Officer Martinez fatally wounded and Officer Szabo 
severely injured. Kennice remained calm and professional under the most 
stressful situation a dispatcher can ever face. Throughout her career, 
she has also worked numerous events such as the 1984 Olympics, the 1991 
LA Riots, the Northridge Earthquake, the OJ Simpson Pursuit and trial, 
the 2000 Democratic National Convention, and the Y2K changeover, just 
to name a few.
  Throughout the years, Ms. Kennice has benevolently and continuously 
met the needs of her peers. She was one of the main coordinators in 
creating the Relaxation room at our Communications Center, where she 
continues to maintain and purchase supplies. She generated ``Team CHP'' 
where she and coworkers help raise awareness and funds by participating 
in charity events such as the Revlon Breast Cancer Walk, the Multiple 
Sclerosis Walk, and several Chips for Kids toy drives.
  Ms. Kennice has not only dedicated her time and talent but has given 
us 40 illustrious years of hard work and dedication to the community 
and the California Highway Patrol.

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