[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 22 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E170-E171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING LONG-TIME COMMUNITY ACTIVIST & HONORARY FILIPINOTOWN MAYOR: 
                      DR. JACINTO ``JAY'' VALENCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JUDY CHU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 2012

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great loss to our 
community, Dr. Jacinto ``Jay'' Valencia, who passed away on January 31, 
2012, at the age of 63. My heart goes out to his loving wife, Rosalie; 
his son, John; his daughter, Aileen V. Michel; his grandchildren Cello, 
Mycah and Naiya; and the rest of his family, friends and loved ones.
  I was proud to have known Dr. Jay, as he was fondly called by his 
friends, for many years. He was a tireless advocate for his community 
and for working families, and rose to one of the highest positions in 
the Filipino American union movement.
  Dr. Jay was vice president for administrative and legislative affairs 
of the National Union of Health Workers, based in California, where he 
worked hard to secure fair benefits and compensation for the 
organization's membership.
  His most lasting legacy, however, was his selection as the first 
Mayor of Philippinetown, Inc. and his work in securing the designation 
of Filipinotown as a Historic District by the City of Los Angeles in 
2002.
  His passion for bettering the lives of his fellow community members 
was evident in his work for elected officials he believed in, such

[[Page E171]]

as his stint as field representative for then California Assembly 
Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa in Sacramento in the 1990s, and his long-
time work in organized labor. He joined SEIU 99 in Los Angeles in 2000 
and remained with the organization until his selection as vice 
president of NUHW, which represents many Filipino and Filipina hospital 
workers.
  Born in the Philippines on Sept. 11, 1949, Dr. Jay was very active in 
politics in his native country. A dedicated fighter for liberty and 
democratic rights, Dr. Jay was detained under martial law for being a 
staff member of the late Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. in 1972. He also 
actively campaigned for Eddie Villanueva during the Philippines 
presidential elections in 2009 and was president of Bagong Pilipino.
  He brought his passion for serving his community back to the United 
States, where he was a leader, advisor or member of many Filipino 
American organizations including Justice for Filipino American 
Veterans, through which he lobbied for full compensation of Filipino 
World War II veterans in Washington and Sacramento.
  I urge my House colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Jacinto ``Jay'' 
Valencia for his record of civic leadership, indomitable spirit and 
remarkable service and contributions to his community and to our 
nation.

                          ____________________