[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26003]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING MR. RAMON GONZALES AND THE ``MIRACLE ON WEST 31ST STREET''

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 1999

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Ramon 
Gonzales, a generous man of limited means who works hard to ensure that 
the Spirit of Christmas touches all of South Tucson's children.
  Twenty-nine years ago, Mr. Gonzales held a neighborhood Christmas 
party for his own children and a few of their friends. Because the 
party was so successful and appreciated, he gave another one the 
following year and every year since. Throughout the years, the 
celebration has radiated from Mr. Gonzales' small stucco house and onto 
West 31st Street. Now, on the day of the party, the street is blocked 
off and there are refreshments, balloons, clowns, mariachi music, 
pinatas, face painters, live radio broadcasts, and presents.
  During the festivities, Santa Claus arrives to hand presents out to 
the children, sometimes in a red fire truck and other times in a 
helicopter. However he arrives, children, parents and volunteers alike 
thrill to the renewal of Christmas magic and the promise of a better 
tomorrow. Because of the happiness the celebration generates, Tucson's 
residents have come to call it the ``Miracle on 31st Street.'' This 
year's event is expected to benefit approximately 4,000 local children, 
who undoubtedly will have a memorable Christmas because of Mr. 
Gonzales' kindness and compassion.
  Mr. Gonzales, a former sheet metal worker now on disability, works 
all year to organize and develop resources for the Christmas Eve 
celebration. Always modest, Mr. Gonzales insists that ``It's the 
volunteers that make the party,'' and he, along with 200 other 
volunteers, works tirelessly to ensure the success of the annual event. 
Many of the volunteers are Mr. Gonzales' union friends, and he has been 
praised by his union president, who said ``I wish we all could be as 
selfless and as giving as Brother Gonzales.'' Volunteers also come from 
businesses, radio stations, friends, neighbors, nonprofit groups, and 
government agencies who enjoy generating positive feelings for the 
children and within the volunteer corps.
  Although many of the children who come to the party are from low 
income families who may not have another Christmas celebration, Mr. 
Gonzales welcomes all children to join in the festivities. He 
understands that childhood dreams are nurtured through a caring 
community that transcends the individual's situation and emphasizes 
positive concepts: sharing, love, involvement, generosity, and 
kindness. The block party on West 31st Street in South Tucson has 
become a beacon for those ideals.
  I commend Ramon Gonzales for his dedication and personal sacrifice 
that has generated so many positive emotions and wonderful memories for 
thousands of children. He is an outstanding model for our nation of one 
person truly making a difference. May his energies and commitment 
continue for many years to come.

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