[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7769]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 7769]]

                          HONORING THUNDER BOY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2000

  Mrs. WILSON. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to bring to your 
attention the heroism displayed by Thunder Boy, the masked superhero of 
Albuquerque. Thunder Boy recently saved the city of Albuquerque from 
the clutches of the Evil Grouch. Though slow to anger, Thunder Boy does 
not suffer villains gladly. He rescued Weatherdog, turned the city's 
fountain back on, and recovered stolen toys for many sick children at 
Carrie Tingley Hospital.
  Through his deeds, Thunder Boy has become Albuquerque's preeminent 
super hero. Time and again, through all adversity, he has proven 
himself a true hero, capable of whatever bravery and self-sacrifice are 
necessary to right a wrong or save a life. But, Mr. Speaker, let us not 
forget the joy that Thunder Boy brings to those around him daily, even 
when villains and evil-doers are on vacation.
  Thunder Boy's generous heart is what makes him a true hero. He saved 
Albuquerque because he cares about our city and our neighbors. But his 
heroism shows in other ways as well. When he sees people who are sad, 
he smiles to brighten their day. He relishes the peace he finds in 
others' happiness and wants to spread joy to the world. Thunder Boy 
shows us that the most important superpower is the ability we all have 
to make someone else's life better simply by being kind.
  Thunder Boy shows us that heroes are not only found in comic books or 
on television, but are here around us every day if we only look hard 
enough. Today we honor his strength and kind heart. His fight to help 
mankind will not be soon forgotten, and neither will his smile. May he 
teach us all the friendship and kindness that we may all become better 
people in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, the newspaper in Albuquerque, formerly the Daily Planet 
but now known as the Albuquerque Journal, has been on the trail of 
Thunder Boy, trying to reveal his true identity. The paper has 
unconfirmed reports that Thunder Boy, when not battling the Evil 
Grouch, is a 4-year-old boy name Isaiah Perea, son of Alex Perea and 
Tanya Larranga, who is fighting another kind of battle--against 
Leukemia. His wish, through Make-A-Wish Foundation, was to be a 
superhero. On May 16, 2000, the Foundation arranged for him to save 
Albuquerque from the Evil Grouch. This report, of course, is still 
unconfirmed.
  Whatever his true identity, the people of Albuquerque are grateful 
for all he has done for us.
  Mr. Speaker, let us wish Thunder Boy Godspeed in all the battles he 
faces.

                          ____________________