[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 123]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF RANDY RHOADS

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 18, 2012

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of Randy Rhoads, a close 
personal friend to my wife Janice and me, who passed unexpectedly and 
way too young.
  Randy was only 52, but he packed a lot of life in those years. He 
managed the family business, Green Acres Market in Simi Valley, 
California, which his parents, Dick and Brenda, bought in 1968. Randy 
worked there as a young teen sweeping up and doing other odd chores, 
and after graduating high school told his dad it was the only place he 
wanted to work.
  Over the years, Randy's winning smile greeted thousands of customers 
who came in for the market's fresh meat, produce, and breads. Many of 
those who landed their first job at Green Acres were trained and 
mentored by Randy, and they became lifelong friends.
  Randy believed in helping the less fortunate and was a big 
contributor to the MANNA Conejo Valley Food Bank and Simi Valley Care & 
Share Food Bank, even storing food for them at times in the grocery's 
refrigerator. One of the last philanthropic events he worked on was the 
Elton Gallegly & Friends Operation Toy Drop 2011 at Naval Base Ventura 
County in December. He supplied the 400 hams that went with bicycles, 
toys, and other food to thank military spouses and children of 
deployed, formerly deployed, or soon-to-be-deployed service members, 
who must endure long periods without a loved one.
  When Randy wasn't at the store or caring for the less fortunate, he 
enjoyed camping, barbecuing, fishing wherever there was a stream, 
riding his motorcycle, playing poker, and being with his family.
  Randy had a quotation hanging over his work bench at home. It read: 
``It doesn't matter where you go in life . . . What you do . . . Or how 
much you have . . . It's who you have beside you.''
  Those of us who had Randy beside us are very grateful to have known 
him and to have shared our lives with him.
  Randy leaves behind his parents and Janice and my friends for more 
than 40 years, Dick and Brenda; his wife, Gina; their two daughters, 
Ashton and Brandie; sister, Julie; Julie's children, Tisa, Rachelle, 
and Ryan; and hundreds of friends.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in remembering Randy 
Rhoads, in thanking him for his many gifts to others, and in sending 
our condolences to his family and friends.
  Godspeed, Randy.

                          ____________________