[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF JESUS BURCIAGA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2001

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with utmost honor and pleasure that I 
rise to recognize Mr. Jesus Burciaga, a gifted leader and outstanding 
firefighter from La Habra, California. Today, Jesus achieves another 
milestone in an already storied career. In the process, he affirms our 
belief that devotion, determination, and discipline still pay handsome 
dividends in life.
  This 20th of December, the Los Angeles County Fire Department 
elevates Jesus to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief, third in command of 
the second largest fire protection agency in America. His promotion 
highlights a career of exceptional public service which began more than 
a quarter century ago.
  As a young man who once shined shoes on the corner of First Street 
and Gage Avenue in East Los Angeles, Jesus saw his hard work and 
perseverance take him from the lowest position in the Los Angeles 
County Fire Department, suppression aid, to fire fighter, then 
inspector, to Captain by 1984. Five years later he was promoted to 
Battalion Chief, and by 1994 he had become Assistant Fire Chief, 
serving for a time as Los Angeles County Fire Marshal.
  Chief Burciaga has accomplished many ``firsts.'' He became one of the 
youngest firefighters to qualify for Captain at the age of twenty-five. 
He became the first Fire Marshal of Latino descent in the County's 
history. And he is certainly the first fortyseven year old father of 
five daughters whom I have witnessed retain not only his hair but its 
natural dark color.
  I met Jesus more than thirteen years ago at a ``Career Day'' session 
at a local elementary school where we both were presented before a 
class of fifth graders. Captain Burciaga was dressed in uniform; I, 
Deputy Attorney General Becerra, wore my suit. There was no contest: he 
glittered, I gawked. He told the kids of his battles with fire, I 
battled to keep their eyes on me. It would not surprise me if some of 
those young students today are firefighters.
  Chief Burciaga has a passion for service and a devotion to our youth. 
As President of the United Hispanic Scholarship Fund he has helped 
raise $500,000 to make the dream of college a reality for more than one 
thousand students. He volunteers his ``spare time'' to support his 
brethren internationally, delivering surplus but valuable firefighting 
vehicles and equipment and teaching the latest fire fighting techniques 
to firefighters in countries like Mexico.
  But, without question, his greatest passion and devotion, which has 
earned him our undying respect and affection, belongs to his family. 
Ana Burciaga has fought every one of her husband's fires. In her eyes 
you see the values that have made the Burciaga family so strong. Ana 
and Jesus and their five accomplished daughters--Elenor, Catherine, 
Luz, Natalie and Sarah--have every right to be proud today.
  Mr. Speaker, on this day, December 20, 2001, family, friends and 
colleagues gather at Descanso Gardens in La Canada, Flintridge, 
California to witness the official appointment of Jesus Burciaga as 
Deputy Fire Chief for the County of Los Angeles and to celebrate 28 
years of courage, integrity, and consummate professionalism. It is with 
great pride that I ask my colleagues in this beloved House of 
Representatives to join me today in saluting Jesus Burciaga, an 
exceptional man and cherished friend.

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