[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E201-E202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF DR. MANUEL ``MANNY'' LOPEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIA BROWNLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 25, 2020

  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the 
remarkable life of Dr. Manuel ``Manny'' Lopez and his over 50 years of 
public service to the City of Oxnard. During his time as a dedicated 
public servant and throughout his career, Manny exhibited outstanding 
leadership, innovative community interaction, and distinguished 
professionalism, and he paved the way for future leaders to continue 
his unparalleled legacy of service to the community.
   Manny was born in Oxnard, California on June 1, 1927 to immigrant 
parents who fled the Mexican Revolution. A son of farmworkers, Manny 
would graduate from Oxnard High School and Ventura College before 
finishing his undergrad at San Diego State University. It was shortly 
after that he attended the University of California Berkley School of 
Optometry. In 1962, Manny opened the first bilingual optometry practice 
in the community and served patients for over 50 years until his 
retirement in 2016.
  In 1978, Manny became the first Latino to be elected to the Oxnard 
City Council. He served as a member of the Oxnard City Council until 
1992, when he became the first elected Latino Mayor of Oxnard. He 
served as Mayor until 2004. After serving as the Mayor of Oxnard for 
over a decade, Manny took a four-year break from public service. Manny 
returned to local government in 2008 when he was elected as the 
Commissioner to the Port of Hueneme five-member Board of Harbor 
Commissioners. He served as a Harbor Commissioner until his passing in 
2020.
  Manny devoted his time to giving back to the community and served on 
many local boards including the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce Board, 
Oxnard Community Relations Commission, City of Oxnard Redevelopment 
Agency, Oxnard College Foundation, Oxnard Planning Commission, Tri-
County Optometric Association, and the Boys and Girls Club of Oxnard. 
He dedicated his life to helping those around him and was a founding 
member of several service-oriented and philanthropic groups including 
the CSUCI Foundation, Sister City Oxnard-Ocotlan, Ventura County 
Community Foundation's Destino Fund, and the Ventura County Community 
Foundation Women's Legacy Fund.
   Throughout his life, Manny embodied the spirit of giving back, and 
his more than five decades in public service is evidence of his passion 
for making Oxnard a thriving community for everyone.

[[Page E202]]

   I personally knew Manny to be a kind soul, who was a loving father, 
wonderful husband, and respected leader throughout our community. I 
will especially remember Manny for his big heart and thoughtfulness. He 
often provided me with words of advice and wisdom that continue to 
guide my work in public service.
   For these reasons, it is with great honor that I offer Dr. Manuel 
``Manny'' Lopez my heartfelt appreciation for his years of outstanding 
service to the City of Oxnard and unwavering dedication to our 
community during his exemplary career. On behalf of the people of 
Oxnard and a very grateful community, whom he served with distinction, 
I express my sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to all 
who knew him.

                          ____________________