[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 115 (Friday, July 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING RODOLFO PINON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RAUL RUIZ

                              of calfornia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an outstanding leader in 
my district, Mr. Rodolfo Pinon of Blythe, California.
  Mr. Speaker, Rodolfo is a remarkable leader, husband, and father. He 
has a deep passion for serving others and giving voice to the 
voiceless.
  From his early years as a student at Palo Verde Valley High School 
and then at California State University at San Bernardino, Rodolfo 
served as an example of selfless service to the underserved.
  That drive and passion to serve his community has been steadfast 
throughout his career.
  As the executive director of Casa De San Bernardino he was a source 
of strength and an anchor of hope to those seeking to overcome 
addiction.
  For five years, his dedication there helped countless individuals in 
their darkest hours.
  Recently, Rodolfo has served as the Director of Community Engagement 
for the Pueblo Unido Community Development Corporation.
  He serves as a driving force behind their mission to support 
underrepresented rural communities.
  As director, has delivered over and over again on the goals of 
developing affordable housing, community infrastructure, community 
centers, and community parks to disadvantaged rural communities.
  This work has solved pressing problems for the residents of the 
Eastern Coachella Valley, from installing water filters to 25 mobile 
home parks in the Eastern Coachella Valley where far too many 
communities face the health threat of arsenic in the unfiltered water, 
to paving the 38 mobile home parks in the community, helping families 
in these rural areas have a higher quality of life and improving 
outcomes for those seeking affordable housing, to building the San Jose 
and Bea Main Community Center open to all in the community and helping 
young people expand their horizons with a brand new computer center.
  But his dedication has also inspired countless budding community 
leaders around him and he has mentored many emerging young leaders.
  Recently, Rodolfo's life of service was chronicled in the book Y 
Suguimos Adelante.
  This book serves as a lasting tribute to his mission and as a 
constant reminder of his counsel that we must always remain selfless in 
our work serving our communities.
  His words have deeply inspired me, and I keep them in mind each day 
in my work as a public servant.
  Rodolfo was recently diagnosed with advanced liver cancer.
  His family and loved ones are going through a terrible pain.
  As a community, we encourage Rodolfo and his family to find strength 
and comfort in the fact that we appreciate and honor you.
  The best way to honor Rodolfo to ensure that his mission and noble 
acts of service are spread beyond the Coachella valley, that his words 
are not forgotten.
  We should all take to heart his service, a man who has given 
everything to his community and asks for nothing in return, except that 
those around him are able to live a healthy life with dignity.
  We should all honor him and enter his life's work into our nation's 
record.
  So today, I would like to take a moment to recognize all that Mr. 
Pinon has given to his community that will live on for future 
generations.
  In honor of his life's work of service, let us keep Rodolfo in our 
thoughts as journeys through this most difficult path of his life. Let 
us not forget all this man has given to our community and how much we 
can learn from his actions.
  In his honor, let us strive to better our communities, and our 
nation.

                          ____________________