[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3501]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONOR THE LIFE OF LIEUTENANT RAFAEL VAZQUEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KLEIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2008

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
of Lieutenant Rafael Vazquez of the Palm Beach Fire Rescue. Known as 
``Ray,'' this brave firefighter died tragically on Monday, March 3, as 
a result of a random shooting in West Palm Beach, Florida.
  The details of Lt. Vazquez's death are heartbreaking. The 42-year-old 
lieutenant had just finished eating lunch with his wife, Michele, and 
their 4-year-old son when, ever the caring parent, Ray decided to go 
back inside the restaurant to exchange a toy that had come with his 
child's meal.
  It was a fateful decision. Once inside, Ray was met by a deranged 
gunman, Alburn Edward Blake, who opened fire. When it was over, Lt. 
Vazquez lay dead and four others were injured. Then Alburn Edward Blake 
turned the gun on himself.
  Ray's life was one of tireless dedication toward protecting his 
fellow citizens. Formerly a firefighter with the town of Lake Park, he 
was hired by the Palm Beach Fire Rescue in February 2001 and was 
promoted to Rescue Lieutenant in January 2007. He had been assigned to 
Rescue 28 in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Lt. Vazquez is survived by his 
wife Michele, an officer with Palm Springs Public Safety, and their 5 
children, ages 4-21.
  In closing, I think the best way to honor Ray's life in Congress is 
to let his wife Michele speak for him in her own words. She says, ``I 
don't understand why these horrible things happen. But no horrible 
thing can take away our memories. My husband was an outstanding father 
and the most giving husband. He was my best friend; I'm going to miss 
him so much.''
  A dedicated firefighter, father, and human being, Lt. Ray Vazquez 
deserves all the honor and praise this distinguished body can bestow 
upon him.

                          ____________________