[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11922]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF EDWARD RAMIREZ, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 23, 2012

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
accomplishments and celebrate the life of Edward Ramirez, Sr.
  Edward Ramirez, Sr. was born on March 1, 1930 to Bernardina and Pedro 
Ramirez and he recently passed away peacefully on July 13, 2012. He was 
surrounded by his family in his final moments.
  As a young boy, Edward Ramirez, Sr. worked in the fields of San Jose. 
He enlisted when he was only 15 and served our country during World War 
II in Germany. In 1967, he started his social activism as an original 
member, parishioner, and leader at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San 
Jose, where he gave his time and resources in the fight to improve the 
community.
  Edward graduated from San Jose State University in 1973 and advocated 
for the establishment of the Educational Opportunity Program, EOP, that 
improves student academic support of low-income and educationally 
disadvantaged students. He established the first alcohol rehabilitation 
center, Casa Adelante, in Santa Clara County. His expertise with the 
Hispanic Community in need of alcohol rehabilitation services has 
earned him the respect and gratitude of our community.
  Edward is survived by his children, Edward, Jr., Arlene, Julian, 
Margaret, Catherine, and Julieana; 16 grandchildren; 6 great-grandsons; 
and numerous loving siblings, nieces, and nephews he loved. He was a 
much beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-
grandfather, and pillar of the community.
  We honor and mourn the passing of Edward Ramirez, Sr. We thank Edward 
for his invaluable service to our community and applaud his numerous 
contributions to the economically disadvantaged. We are very fortunate 
to have benefited from his passion, advocacy, and tenacity. He has left 
his mark in San Jose and the larger community.

                          ____________________