[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN MEMORY OF BERNADINO CRUZ, JR., AND HIS PASSION FOR EDUCATION, MUSIC, 
                  AND THE SOUTHWEST DETROIT COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 1, 2014

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and work of Bernadino Cruz, Jr., an educator, a musician and a 
community activist in Southwest Detroit.
  As an educator, Mr. Cruz shared his love of music and the learning 
process with his students as a music teacher at Burt Elementary and 
then at Cesar Chavez Academy. In each instance, he took his love of 
music and focused that passion into connecting his students with the 
importance of their education. At Burt Elementary, Mr. Cruz not only 
directly tied the music department programming into the school's 
curriculum, but also took the initiative to expand the array of 
programming available to students by establishing a concert choir. At 
Cesar Chavez, Mr. Cruz continued his track record of dedication to his 
students by establishing an instrumental music program and a touring 
bilingual concert choir. As an honor and testament to the remarkable 
impact Mr. Cruz made on the students at Cesar Chavez, the new media 
center at its high school will be dedicated to him.
  After more than six years as a teacher, Mr. Cruz stepped into a new 
educational role as Assistant Principal at the Hope of Detroit Academy. 
In this position, he continued his commitment to engage his students in 
the educational process. His responsibilities included overseeing the 
entire school curriculum, management of day-to-day operations and 
management of student body behavior.
  Furthermore, Mr. Cruz's passion for learning did not stop with his 
students--it is a value that he practiced in his own life as he 
continued to seek more knowledge in the field of education. Following 
his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Wayne State University, Mr. Cruz 
went on to receive additional certifications in education and education 
administration from Wayne State and Marygrove College in Detroit. With 
each new skill he developed, Mr. Cruz furthered his mission to empower 
his students with a quality education.
  As a musician, Mr. Cruz shared his passion for music with the 
Southwest Detroit community in many ways. In addition to his role as a 
music teacher in the field of education, Mr. Cruz served as a music 
teacher at the Most Holy Redeemer Church and used his musical talents 
to support many causes focused on strengthening the Southwest Detroit 
community. Working together with his brother Mauro, Mr. Cruz also 
sought to build bridges of cultural understanding by taking traditional 
Latin music and incorporating new rhythms and styles that helped youth 
better connect to both their identity and heritage.
  Mr. Speaker, leaders, educators and artists, like Mr. Bernadino Cruz, 
Jr., are so important to ensuring the success of the communities we 
represent. Mr. Cruz showed a passion and dedication for education, 
music and the Southwest Detroit community that have inspired so many to 
make a difference in their community. I join the Southwest Detroit 
community, and all whose lives have been influenced by Mr. Cruz and his 
enthusiasm, in the sadness that is felt for his loss. However, I know 
that his family can take comfort in the incredible difference he has 
made in the lives of so many people, and the inspiration his legacy 
will continue to instill in future generations.

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