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[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      TRIBUTE TO PETER AVILLANOZA--VICTIM OF OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii [Mrs. Mink] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, today I want to remember a native 
son of Hawaii, Peter Avillanoza, who recently went to Oklahoma City to 
begin a new mission, as director of equal opportunity for the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development. He moved to Oklahoma City 
only a few months ago. He was 56 years old when he died in the 
senseless bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal Building.
  Peter Avillanoza cared passionately about the people he served. He 
was a pioneer. Peter was assigned by HUD to work in Honolulu to help 
people comply with fair housing laws. He had been working in HUD's 
Orange County, CA office. He didn't come in with a big regulatory stick 
and levy penalties. Instead, he prevented violations from occurring in 
the first place. For 2 years, he reached out into the community to 
encourage consumers and industry to buy into the concept of equal 
housing opportunity for all. He made sure everyone--residents, 
landlords, realtors, financiers and public officials--knew their rights 
and their responsibilities, before the law was implemented. Today, as 
just one measure of his success, real estate industry in Hawaii 
requires all its professionals to be instructed about fair housing law 
before granting them certificates to practice.
  Peter Avillanoza was born and educated in Hawaii. After graduating 
from Kaimuki High School in 1956, Peter Avillanoza joined the Army, got 
married and, after finishing his tour, used the GI bill to get master's 
degrees in business and criminology. While going to school, he worked 
as a Honolulu police officer and in the fire department.
  Peter Avillanoza loved music, played several instruments and composed 
songs, Hawaiian music being one of his favorites. Friends and family 
recall the day he began singing gospel music. That happened just last 
August, when, at an outdoor religious revival, Peter walked up to the 
stage and made his peace with God.
  Peter Avillanoza leaves behind a great legacy: his wife Darlene Dohi-
Avillanoza, 10 children, 14 grandchildren, and 10 brothers and sisters. 
He raised his children with descipline, fairness, and love. And he 
stayed connected to them. No matter where he was, he called his 
children every week, thereby becoming the keeper of family news.
  After the bombing, relatives rushed to Oklahoma City, struggling to 
find out any details they could. After 10 days of heartbreaking 
uncertainty, rescuers found his body on Saturday, April 29.
  Yesterday in Honolulu, hundreds of friends, family and colleagues 
gathered to lay him to rest. Their memories of Peter Avillanoza, his 
love and his dedication will give them the strength to endure his loss.
  And on behalf of the people of Hawaii, I wish to acknowledge the 
precious life of Peter Avillanoza and note the deep personal loss 
suffered by his family.
  There will be no consolation for this family. The sadness they feel 
must be felt by all Americans. Only then, can we take the necessary 
steps to make sure that his life was not taken in vain. Hate and 
violence must be expunged from our culture, and replaced with the love 
and compassion exemplified in the life of Peter Avillanoza.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Ohio [Ms. Kaptur] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  [Ms. KAPTUR addressed the House. Her remarks will appear hereafter in 
the Extensions of Remarks.]

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