[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MR. JOSE DUENAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 8, 2015

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of 
Mr. Jose Duenas, former President and CEO of the Alameda County 
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Known throughout the Bay Area as a 
fervent Latino community leader, Mr. Duenas has left an undeniable mark 
on our community. With his passing on June 20, 2015, we look to honor 
the outstanding quality of his life's work.
  Born in Mexico City, Mexico on February 24, 1952, Mr. Duenas was 
raised in Oakland, California where he graduated from Fremont High 
School. He later attended California State University, Hayward and St. 
Mary's College of California. Upon receiving his Bachelor's Degree in 
Engineering, Mr. Duenas went on to pursue a career in public service to 
develop and promote opportunities for the greater Bay Area community.
  During the earlier stages of his professional career, Mr. Duenas' 
determination and hard work led him to become a senior manager for the 
Port of Oakland, the fourth largest port in North America. Shortly 
after, he was chosen to lead the Bay Area World Trade Center as Chief 
Executive Officer where he coordinated trade missions to over 40 
different countries.
  Afterwards, the Alameda County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (ACHCC) 
hired Mr. Duenas to represent and provide assistance to over 18,000 
Hispanic owned firms. As President and Chief Executive Officer at 
ACHCC, he led the charge of building a sustainable economic and 
financial foundation for Latino businesses to grow and prosper in the 
Bay Area. During his tenure, he also helped create a Latino Political 
Action Committee to help promote Latino candidates and address key 
issues facing the Latino community and communities of color.
  Furthermore, Mr. Duenas also ran his own company, Global 8 Partners, 
which focuses on international trade, government affairs and Hispanic 
business marketing. He is survived by his two children, Nicolas and 
Annalisa, three sisters and one brother.
  I will always remember Jose's resiliency, his charisma, and passion 
for serving his community. Some of my most memorable moments with Jose 
were traveling to Mexico and Africa on the trade missions he helped 
organize. He truly understood the importance of international trade to 
the Bay Area, and he shared his knowledge with policy makers and the 
private sector to help spur economic growth and create jobs. His larger 
than life spirit will live forever and will continue to give us hope 
for the future. I will be forever grateful for his wise counsel and 
friendship.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes an 
outstanding individual and leader, Mr. Jose Duenas. Mr. Duenas' 
contributions have truly impacted countless lives throughout the Bay 
Area. I join all of Mr. Duenas' loved ones in celebrating his 
incredible life and offer my most sincere condolences.

                          ____________________