Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E201-E202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN HONOR OF DR. MANUEL ``MANNY'' LOPEZ
______
HON. JULIA BROWNLEY
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the
remarkable life of Dr. Manuel ``Manny'' Lopez and his over 50 years of
public service to the City of Oxnard. During his time as a dedicated
public servant and throughout his career, Manny exhibited outstanding
leadership, innovative community interaction, and distinguished
professionalism, and he paved the way for future leaders to continue
his unparalleled legacy of service to the community.
Manny was born in Oxnard, California on June 1, 1927 to immigrant
parents who fled the Mexican Revolution. A son of farmworkers, Manny
would graduate from Oxnard High School and Ventura College before
finishing his undergrad at San Diego State University. It was shortly
after that he attended the University of California Berkley School of
Optometry. In 1962, Manny opened the first bilingual optometry practice
in the community and served patients for over 50 years until his
retirement in 2016.
In 1978, Manny became the first Latino to be elected to the Oxnard
City Council. He served as a member of the Oxnard City Council until
1992, when he became the first elected Latino Mayor of Oxnard. He
served as Mayor until 2004. After serving as the Mayor of Oxnard for
over a decade, Manny took a four-year break from public service. Manny
returned to local government in 2008 when he was elected as the
Commissioner to the Port of Hueneme five-member Board of Harbor
Commissioners. He served as a Harbor Commissioner until his passing in
2020.
Manny devoted his time to giving back to the community and served on
many local boards including the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce Board,
Oxnard Community Relations Commission, City of Oxnard Redevelopment
Agency, Oxnard College Foundation, Oxnard Planning Commission, Tri-
County Optometric Association, and the Boys and Girls Club of Oxnard.
He dedicated his life to helping those around him and was a founding
member of several service-oriented and philanthropic groups including
the CSUCI Foundation, Sister City Oxnard-Ocotlan, Ventura County
Community Foundation's Destino Fund, and the Ventura County Community
Foundation Women's Legacy Fund.
Throughout his life, Manny embodied the spirit of giving back, and
his more than five decades in public service is evidence of his passion
for making Oxnard a thriving community for everyone.
[[Page E202]]
I personally knew Manny to be a kind soul, who was a loving father,
wonderful husband, and respected leader throughout our community. I
will especially remember Manny for his big heart and thoughtfulness. He
often provided me with words of advice and wisdom that continue to
guide my work in public service.
For these reasons, it is with great honor that I offer Dr. Manuel
``Manny'' Lopez my heartfelt appreciation for his years of outstanding
service to the City of Oxnard and unwavering dedication to our
community during his exemplary career. On behalf of the people of
Oxnard and a very grateful community, whom he served with distinction,
I express my sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to all
who knew him.
____________________