Extensions of Remarks E1197 HON. JIMMY GOMEZ
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September 24, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1197 calmed by his skilled diplomacy and deter- culture through businesses, retail, colorful art, the John F. Kennedy assassination, the Viet- mination to ensure that high-quality education food, clothing, and traditions. nam War, the birth of the free speech move- always came first. After ten years at Bowie This year, we celebrate the naming of the ment, the kidnapping of newspaper heiress State, Dr. Myers began an eighteen-year ten- Vermont Avenue exit on State Highway 10 in Patricia Hearst, and the Loma Prieta earth- ure as President of the National Association honor of the Corridor. Another important step quake. for Equal Opportunity (NAFEO). Representing in honoring the integral role of the Salvadoran He also covered a story that shaped my life 117 HBCUs, Dr. Myers fought tirelessly to se- American community in the economy, culture and cemented my commitment to public serv- cure much-needed funding for these colleges and identity of Los Angeles. ice. Al flew to Guyana with my mentor and and universities to expand and offer more I ask all Members to join me in commending boss Congressman Ryan who took a delega- courses and degrees. I am proud, Madam the countless contributions of the Salvadoran tion there to investigate the commune Jim Speaker, to be a member of the Congres- American community to Los Angeles and rec- Jones had built in Jonestown. Relatives and sional HBCU Caucus and to support Bowie ognizing integral economic and cultural role of friends of Jones’ followers suspected that he State University and other HBCUs as they the El Salvador Community Corridor. was holding them against their will. They were work hard to carry out their important mission f right and some 40 followers were ready to de- of making educational achievement and career fect with our delegation. What unfolded was success more equitable in our country. IN RECOGNITION OF ALBERT N. one of the deadliest mass murders in history. Even after his retirement from NAFEO, Dr. BULLOCK, POSTHUMOUSLY Congressman Ryan was assassinated on the Myers has been a force for good in the com- airstrip in Port Kaituma, shot 45 times. Three munity, working since 1995 as Chairman of HON. JACKIE SPEIER journalists and one defector were shot dead. I the Board of Directors of Minority Access, Inc., OF CALIFORNIA was shot five times, left for dead but survived. an organization that works to expand the ac- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In the commune, more than 900 followers were murdered with cyanide-laced Kool-Aid. Al cess of under-represented groups to institu- Tuesday, September 24, 2019 tions of higher education, federal and state was on a plane back to the Bay Area. Upon governments, and private corporations. Dr. Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to hearing the news he immediately returned to Myers has spent decades fighting for the pub- honor Albert N. Bullock ‘‘Al’’ who passed away Guyana to cover the aftermath. Just nine days lic good, for equality, for justice, and for oppor- at the age of 96 on August 16, 2019 in Daly later, back in San Francisco, Al was sent to tunity. His impact on education in my home City after a remarkable life. Al was an cover the assassinations of Mayor George state of Maryland and in our country cannot unflappable photographer who filmed the at- Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. He wit- be measured and will surely be long-lasting. I tack on Pearl Harbor and covered many nessed and captured one of the most tumul- hope my colleagues will join me in thanking events that shaped the Bay Area, including tuous and trying periods in Bay Area history. Dr. Myers for his lifetime of service and wish- the Patti Hearst kidnapping, the assassina- Al’s superb work was recognized with many ing him a very happy 100th birthday. tions of Mayor Moscone and Harvey Milk and awards including the California Press Photog- the Jonestown mass murder where I met him. rapher of the Year and the prestigious Silver f He will always have a special place in my Circle of the National Academy of TV Arts and RECOGNIZING THE NAMING OF heart. Sciences in 2003. THE VERMONT AVENUE EXIT ON Al was born in Utica, New York on March 5, Al Bullock is preceded in death by his ex- STATE HIGHWAY ROUTE 10 IN 1923. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 wife Edythe and survived by their three chil- HONOR OF THE EL SALVADOR which changed his life. His first job was wash- dren, Candace, Bob and Georgette, their six COMMUNITY CORRIDOR ing airplanes and working in a photo lab grandchildren, Stephanie, Lindsey, Sean, Erin, where he discovered his talent and love for Matthew, and four great-grandchildren, Kelly, HON. JIMMY GOMEZ taking pictures. When a place in the Navy Katie, Tyler and Adam. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Rep- OF CALIFORNIA photography school opened, he was picked and received what he called the best edu- resentatives to rise with me to honor Albert N. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cation possible in photography, motion pic- Bullock who served our country and led by ex- Tuesday, September 24, 2019 tures and navigation. He graduated as a sec- ample. He was a devoted husband, father, Mr. GOMEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today ond class photographer’s mate and was im- grandfather and great-grandfather, a mentor to to honor the El Salvador Community Corridor mediately hired by the government. He was many, Mr. KGO to his colleagues, and one of (Corridor), the first designated Salvadoran shipped to Pearl Harbor and as fate would a kind. He will be deeply missed. community in the City of Los Angeles. have it, the year was 1941. On December 7th, f This vibrant Corridor, located in the Pico Al was on Ford Island and as the Japanese RECOGNIZING MAX DISPOSTI AS Union area in the southern region of down- were dropping bombs right on top of him, he CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH town Los Angeles, honors the rich history, her- filmed the carnage with a hand-cranked 16mm itage and contributions of the Salvadoran camera. Ford Island was the strategic center American community. Murals throughout the of operations for the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, HON. MIKE LEVIN OF CALIFORNIA Corridor depict the cultural pride, struggles the location of Battleship Row. Assigned as a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and dreams of Salvadoran Americans. flag cameraman on the USS Santa Fe, he Forty years of internal political turmoil forced spent the entire war moving from one cam- Tuesday, September 24, 2019 individuals from the Republic of El Salvador to paign to the next. In March 1945, he shot his- Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, flee the country and seek peace and security toric photos and footage of the burning and it’s my honor to recognize Max Disposti, in the United States. Today, it is estimated listing USS Franklin 50 miles off the coast of founder of the North County LGBTQ Resource that nearly one million Salvadorans reside in Japan. The USS Santa Fe rescued many sail- Center, as my next Constituent of the Month. Los Angeles, making Los Angeles home to the ors and helped put out the fires on the Frank- A longtime North County resident, Max’s tire- largest population of Salvadorans outside of El lin. Al was 22. less work to open the Center filled a void in Salvador. In 1950, Al moved to San Mateo in my Con- support services and resources for LGBTQ You cannot tell the story of Los Angeles gressional District and held a variety of jobs families and has made a positive impact on without telling the stories of the Salvadoran selling China and silverware, taking photos countless lives in our community. American community—and of the community and filming car races. One day in the 60s, he Before Max founded the Center in 2011, leaders, public servants, artists, teachers, was filming a race that ended in a fiery crash. many lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and neighbors, family members and friends who Roger Grimsby, an anchor and the news di- questioning youth and families had nowhere to enrich Los Angeles in countless ways. rector at KGO–TV, watched him as he kept turn in North County, lacking a sense of com- In 2012, the City of Los Angeles declared a filming. He approached Al asking, ‘‘You have munity that was desperately needed. With the section of Vermont Avenue as the El Salvador any blood in your veins?’’ He bought the foot- help of others in the community like Maria Al Community Corridor, a long over due recogni- age for $25 and used it on the air that day. Shamma, who now serves as Board Chair for tion of the economic and cultural contributions Thus began Al’s pursuit to become a camera- the Center, Max is able to provide our LGBTQ of Salvadoran American individuals, families, man for KGO. In 1962, Grimsby, known as neighbors with a safe place to receive re- and organizations. This designation—an im- ‘‘Grim Grimsby’’ for his gruff no-nonsense de- sources and feel more comfortable in their portant step for the community—created a livery of the news, finally relented and hired community. Max and many others at the Cen- special place for residents to celebrate their him. Al stayed at KGO for 30 years covering ter provide critical services such as support VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:45 Sep 25, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24SE8.003 E24SEPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with REMARKS E1198 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 24, 2019 groups for youth, seniors, and military service known as the town of Saint Peter.