[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 122 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING JUAN ESPARZA LOERA

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Juan Esparza 
Loera as he receives the ``Service Above Self'' award presented by the 
Fresno Latino Rotary. Juan's dedication and commitment to reporting 
quality news to the community is something to be honored.
  Juan was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and immigrated with his parents 
to the United States when he was only three and a half years old. He 
moved to the San Joaquin Valley in 1969, and has lived there ever 
since. Upon his graduation from Delano High School, Juan continued his 
education at Bakersfield Junior College and then went on to California 
State University, Fresno, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 
Journalism.
  Juan's career in journalism began in Bakersfield as the high school 
sports editor for the Bakersfield Californian. His career would then 
take him to Modesto, where he worked for the Modesto Bee. During his 
time at the Modesto Bee, Juan held multiple positions ranging from 
general assignment reporter to business editor. His hard work in 
Bakersfield and Modesto created opportunities for him in Fresno. In May 
1990, Juan was hired as the Editor and Publisher for Vida en el Valle. 
Twenty-four years later, Juan still holds the position.
  Over the years, Vida en el Valle has been recognized for national 
awards. In 1998, Vida en el Valle was awarded the General Excellence 
Award by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. It was the 
first time a bilingual newspaper had ever won the award. Since then, 
Vida en el Valle has earned more than 20 additional awards from the 
California Newspaper Publishers Association. In 2003, Juan was 
recognized by Hispanic Media 100 as one of the most influential Latino 
journalists in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the 
House of Representatives to recognize Mr. Juan Esparza Loera. The 
contributions he has made to our San Joaquin Valley deserve to be 
commended.

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