August 5, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1499 IN HONOR OF MR. TONY As part of this series, Mr. Ramos authored Luis Obispo where he earned a bachelor’s de- PETKOVSEK a July 27, 1983 article entitled ‘‘Going Home: gree in journalism in 1969. He joined the American Dream Lives in the Barrio,’’ in which Vietnam War effort, serving in the U.S. Army from March 1970 to September 1971 in HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH Mr. Ramos shares with readers the story of West Germany and South Vietnam. He was OF OHIO his boyhood life growing up in the ‘‘hillside awarded the Purple Heart after suffering a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES barrio.’’ I would like to honor his memory leg wound. Friday, August 5, 2011 today by submitting the full text of this article ‘‘I first met George over the phone when I into the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. was studying in Oxford more than 15 years Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to On a more personal note, I was also deeply ago and recently saw him on Memorial Day honor Mr. Tony Petkovsek on the 50th anni- impressed by another thorough, fact-filled, and at Cinco Puntos. In the intervening years, I versary of his Polka music radio show. beautifully written article about Los Angeles’ came to appreciate his unique perspective on issues facing our great city. His death is a Deemed ‘‘Cleveland’s Polka Ambassador,’’ he Latino community that Mr. Ramos authored— has worked tirelessly to advance Slovenian loss for us all,’’ said Council President Eric my father’s October 25, 2005 obituary. In the Garcetti. culture and Polka music both in Cleveland and first sentence, he described my father, the late First District Councilmember Ed P. Reyes around the world. Congressman Edward Roybal, as a ‘‘pioneer said: ‘‘George Ramos was a street reporter, Starting in August of 1961, Tony began in Latino politics in Los Angeles and a god- passionate and fiery, who constantly broadcasting a polka music radio show fused father and mentor to scores of lawmakers.’’ I searched for the human side of the news. We with interviews and discussions on the Cleve- find it truly fitting that many of the same words will miss his ability to seek truth. It’s a per- land community. Tony was also instrumental are being used over and over to describe his spective that’s needed now more than ever in establishing the United Slovenian Society and we will miss him.’’ own life’s contributions to journalism. Ramos joined the L.A. Times in 1978 after and Greater Cleveland and the USS Concert. In addition to his reporting, I have also had In addition to his career, Tony uses polka as working for Copley News Service and the the privilege, year after year, of joining Mr. San Diego Union. During his career at the a vehicle to perform invaluable community Ramos and other Latino veterans on Memorial Times, he went on to win three Pulitzer service. Through his Cleveland Slovenian Day at Cinco Puntos in Boyle Heights near the Prizes, an honor only a handful of Latino re- Radio Club’s ‘‘Radiothons,’’ Tony has helped Mexican-American All Wars Memorial. A Pur- porters has accomplished in journalism his- raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the ple Heart recipient and proud Latino veteran, tory. Slovene Home for the Aged which helps elder- ‘‘As a teacher, journalist and veteran, Mr. Ramos made it a priority to honor our fall- George Ramos was a friend and mentor to ly members of Cleveland’s Slovenian-Amer- en men and women in uniform and often ican community receive various therapies as many,’’ said Fourteenth District served as the event’s Master of Ceremony. Councilmember Jose´ Huizar. ‘‘His influence well as recreation activities and entertainment. To more fulIy capture Mr. Ramos’ life and crossed generations. His keen intellect, He has also helped form many cultural organi- accomplishments, I would also like to submit sharp sense of humor and deep sense of hu- zations in Cleveland such as the United Slove- into the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD the following manity will be dearly missed. I’m fortunate nian Society of Greater Cleveland and the article that appeared in the online publication, to have had the opportunity to see all his Cleveland-Slovenian Radio Club. CalCoastNews, where Mr. Ramos most re- gifts displayed at our annual Veterans’ Me- morial commemoration at Cinco Puntos in Tony has received countless accolades and cently volunteered as an editor. In the July 26 awards throughout his long and selfless ca- Boyle Heights, which George participated in article, Los Angeles elected officials are numerous times. My thoughts and prayers go reer. He has served on the Ohio Arts Council quoted universally praising Mr. Ramos’ talent and in 1991 was inducted into the Broad- out to all mourning the loss of this great for storytelling and his devotion to Los Ange- man.’’ casters Hall of Fame in Akron. He has re- les’ Latino community. Tenth District Councilmember Herb ceived the Slovenian Man of the Year Award Mr. Speaker, as his family, colleagues, fel- Wesson said: ‘‘George Ramos had roots in from the Federation of Slovenian homes. This low veterans, students and many friends pre- many communities, and the fact that he year he is being inducted into the Cleveland pare to gather for his memorial service August cared about those communities was reflected in his writing. He was a fine journalist, and International Hall of Fame, Class of 2011. 6 at the Veterans’ Memorial Building in Morro Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please rise to a great role model. The many young journal- Bay, I ask my colleagues to please join me ists he trained, and who maintain his high honor Mr. Tony Petkovsek on the 50th anni- and the entire Los Angeles community in ex- versary of his radio show and his recent in- standards, are the important legacy he tending our heartfelt condolences to Mr. leaves us.’’ duction into the Cleveland International Hall of Ramos’ loved ones and all of those whose ‘‘George Ramos had a monumental impact Fame. He is a staple of Polka culture and is lives he touched. By all accounts, this self-de- because he was fearless in seeking out the a vital member of the Slovenian-American scribed ‘‘kid from East L.A.’’ served Los Ange- truth and sharing it with the public. I am among the many fans who greatly admired community. les well and will be greatly missed. f him for his journalistic skills, personal and LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNS IN professional integrity and incredible dedica- A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GEORGE MEMORY OF GEORGE RAMOS tion. Most of all, I appreciate how much he RAMOS (July 26, 2011) CALCOASTNEWS—The Los accomplished not just through the printed Angeles City Council adjourned today’s word but through his own humanity, as he meeting in memory of George Ramos, a was a wonderful and caring person who HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, mentored countless others, giving them tools OF CALIFORNIA columnist and editor for the Los Angeles and wisdom with which to build a better ca- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Times, Cal Poly professor, and CalCoastNews reer, life and world,’’ said Fifth District Friday, August 5, 2011 editor who was more comfortable referring Councilmember Paul Koretz. to himself as ‘‘the kid from East L.A.’’ Ramos and former Times editor Frank Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise Ramos, who suffered from increased com- Sotomayor were co-editors of a today to recognize the late George Ramos, a plications from diabetes, was found dead at groundbreaking series on Latinos in South- longtime Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist in his home in Morro Bay Saturday. He was 63. ern California that won the paper the Pul- Los Angeles, a Cal Poly professor, and a ‘‘George was a tenacious reporter and a itzer Prize Gold Medal for Meritorious Pub- decorated Vietnam War veteran who devoted brilliant story teller who always wrote from lic Service in 1984. Seventeen Latino journal- much of his life to honoring the Latino commu- the heart,’’ said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. ists worked on the 27-part series. Ramos also ‘‘A proud son of the Eastside, he intimately was part of the Times reporting teams that nity that he knew so well and loved. captured the Latino experience in Los Ange- were awarded Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Mr. Ramos grew up in the area of East Los les and never lost sight of the human dimen- the 1992 Los Angeles riots and the 1994 Angeles known as Belvedere Garden. As we sion in journalism. He will be greatly missed Northridge earthquake. learned through his own writings, Mr. Ramos but his legacy and enduring love for our City Seventh District Councilmember Richard escaped the trappings of poverty, drugs and will live on through the many young journal- Alarco´ n said: ‘‘Molded by the mentorship of gang life that plagued the area to attend col- ists he mentored throughout the years.’’ Rube´n Salazar and Frank del Olmo, George lege and embark on a distinguished career in Ramos was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 1, Ramos had a very personal connection to his journalism. 1947. He grew up in Belvedere Garden, a Los Angeles roots and his writing reflected neighborhood he described in a 1984 Pulitzer Among his many professional highlights, Mr. this. By embracing his background, Ramos Prize series story as an East L.A. hillside helped shape the conscience of Los Angeles.’’ Ramos is heralded for his contributions to a barrio inhabited by ‘‘poor but proud people’’ In 2003, Ramos left the Times to return to Los Angeles Times groundbreaking series on with ‘‘hopes as resilient as tall wheat in a San Luis Obispo where he served as Cal Poly Latinos in Southern California that earned the summer breeze.’’ Ramos graduated from Gar- Journalism Department Chair.