[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 21, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JOE GUNTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 2020

  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in mourning to celebrate the 
life of the late Mayor of Salinas, California, Joseph David Gunter, for 
a lifetime of public service to both his community and our country. 
Mayor Gunter, a longtime resident and public servant of Salinas, passed 
away on June 29, 2020. It is with deep sadness that I stand here on the 
House floor today to honor Mayor Gunter's life and contributions.
  Born into a military family in Maryland, Joe and his family 
eventually moved to Fort Ord, a former Army base on the central coast 
of California. After graduating from a local High School, Joe joined 
the U.S. Marine Corps and served honorably for four years during the 
Vietnam War. Joe's military service shaped his life and led to a 
lifelong career guided by a sense of duty and service to his community. 
Soon after returning home, Joe joined the Salinas Police Department, 
serving six years as a patrol officer and another twenty-six as a 
detective. Joe's strong leadership skills and commitment to public 
service led him to become Mayor of Salinas, a position in which he 
served for eight years.
  During his time as Mayor, Joe spearheaded many projects in Salinas 
and throughout Monterey County. Some of these projects include 
development of the new Salinas Police Department and Youth Alisal 
Sports Fields, construction of housing for homeless and low-income 
residents, leading the Veteran's Day Parade, and playing a critical 
role in advancement of the California Central Coast Veteran's Cemetery 
at Fort Ord. The initiatives that Joe led will undoubtably have a 
lasting impact on individual residents and the broader community for 
generations to come.
  Joe's community service expanded far beyond his mayoral duties. He 
also found time to serve as the Director of Security for the Salinas 
Rodeo and California International Airshow, served as President and 
volunteer at the Salinas Women's Crisis Center, and was President and a 
coach of the Bobby Sox Softball League. Joe's extensive service to the 
community and country for more than fifty years is an inspiration to us 
all, and I am both proud and honored to have had the opportunity to 
serve alongside him.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in celebrating the life of the 
late Mayor Joe Gunter and offering our sincere condolences to his wife, 
children, and grandchildren as they, alongside the community, mourn the 
loss of a truly special man.

                          ____________________