[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 155 (Wednesday, September 9, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING DR. GABRIEL LOPEZ-PLASCENCIA

 Ms. SINEMA. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of 
Dr. Gabriel Lopez-Plascencia--Dr. Lopez--a well-known physician from 
metro-Phoenix who practiced medicine for over six decades. Dr. Lopez 
was the primary physician for many low-income families living in 
Phoenix's underserved communities.
  Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Dr. Lopez attended the University of 
Guadalajara before eventually moving to the United States and enlisting 
in the Arizona National Guard as a medical officer. He served the 
Arizona Guard for 20 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Even the 
he continued to support and collaborate with the Guard through 
additional activations until the mid 1990s. In addition to his military 
service, Dr. Lopez made a point to make his services available to 
indigent populations in South Phoenix, where poverty has affected 
predominantly Latino communities for decades. As an active Mexican 
American, he was also one of the founding members of the Mexican 
American Chamber of Commerce in Phoenix. Dr. Lopez's community-oriented 
spirit, expertise, and dedication to service contributed to the health 
of many Arizona working families and allowed them to seek the American 
dream just as he did many years ago.
  Please join me in honoring the life of Dr. Gabriel Lopez-Plascencia, 
a passionate doctor, surgeon, and servant to Arizonans, who will be 
dearly missed. The impact Dr. Lopez has left in our hearts, his 
community, and our State will be felt eternally.

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