[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MEMORIALIZING MR. DANIEL VILLANUEVA HERNANDEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of a dedicated 
public servant, Daniel Villanueva Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez's unexpected 
passing on June 6, 2003 ended a life committed to his community, social 
justice, and most importantly, his family. The Bay Area has indeed lost 
an extremely great lawyer, who advocated for the rights of the less 
fortunate. His work and legacy will continue through the many lives he 
touched.
  Born in 1944 to Ignacio and Maria Hernandez in Texas, Daniel traveled 
with his family across the Southwest as migrant farm workers. Every 
summer, his family would travel to Santa Clara County to pick prunes. 
From his experience as a migrant worker, he learned the values of hard 
work, determination, and the importance of education.
  It was his father who made certain all nine children, including 
Daniel, graduated from high school. Daniel exceeded his father's dreams 
by attending San Jose State University, where his activism flourished, 
and he became a fiery leader. Daniel's goal during his life was to 
ensure others had access to the same opportunities he enjoyed.
  At San Jose State University, Daniel started the organization called 
Student Initiative. As the leader of this organization of Latino 
students, Daniel became a leading voice for the rights of minorities. 
At this time in history, our country was engaged in the Vietnam War. 
Many of his friends were being drafted into the combat, and it was 
clear to Daniel that the underprivileged were not given equal 
treatment. Daniel did not stand on the sidelines. With passion and 
conviction, he organized students and led demonstrations against the 
war.
  Knowing the importance of education, Daniel worked on enabling more 
Mexican American students to attend college. Through his creation of 
another organization, the Mexican American Student Confederation, he 
brought 200 students into the college system in one year alone.
  Emboldened with the desire to make a difference, Daniel brought 
together students from different campuses across California to fight 
against discriminatory practices. He spoke out on the issues of 
poverty, civil rights, and affordable housing, and on many occasions, 
he civilly disobeyed laws that were unjust to Mexican Americans and the 
less fortunate.
  Daniel reached out beyond the college campus, in order to work with 
United People Arriba. Through the organization, he helped bring a 
medical clinic and 193 affordable housing units to the predominantly 
Latino East Side of San Jose.
  It was through the encouragement of his wife, Jessie Serna, that he 
decided to pursue a career in law. He had the ability and the heart to 
truly make a difference. He attended and earned his law degree from 
Golden Gate University.
  During the 22 years he practiced law, Mr. Hernandez would represent 
the poorest people, and would take on the most difficult of cases. To 
him no case was hopeless. Knowing that a person was imprisoned falsely 
was a matter Mr. Hernandez could not accept. He made certain his 
clients were equally represented before the court of law.
  In addition to decades of service fighting to protect the rights of 
the less fortunate, Daniel dedicated countless hours to the Mexican 
American community through his services as a community activist and 
mentor. He was, for example, an effective advocate for the Pro Bono 
Project. The Pro Bono Project allowed future lawyers to contribute 
their services to the poor in need of legal services. Mr. Hernandez was 
a mentor to many future attorneys through his service with the Pro Bono 
Project.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of a friend. I have had 
many opportunities to meet with Mr. Hernandez, and what amazed me most 
about him was his dedication and determination to help others. The 
passion and love he had for public service will be missed by all of us. 
The Bay Area was fortunate to have Mr. Hernandez as an activist, family 
man, and friend. I am personally fortunate to represent a district that 
Mr. Hernandez touched with his courageous works.

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