[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF BISHOP JOSEPH J. MADERA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2017

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bishop 
Joseph J. Madera, who passed away on January 21, 2017 at age 89. Bishop 
Madera was a loving son, brother, and leader of the Central California 
Catholic community, who was called ``the people's bishop'' by those he 
served.
  Born on November 27, 1927, Bishop Madera was raised in Mexico. He 
entered the seminary at age 15, studying priesthood in Coyoacan, a 
neighborhood in Mexico City. After being ordained on June 15, 1957, 
Bishop Madera was sent to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles where there 
was a need for priests who understood the needs of Catholics of Mexican 
decent. He served in Los Angeles for 15 years until 1976, when he 
became a pastor in Fowler in the San Joaquin Valley. Four years later, 
in 1980, he was ordained bishop for the Diocese of Fresno.
  While Bishop of Fresno, Bishop Madera created specialized ministries 
for families and youth, and became very involved in the Hispanic 
community. He started an education television station in Fresno to 
spread his message on Catholicism, which would later become Channel 49 
(KNXT). In 1991, Bishop Madera became an auxiliary bishop for the 
Archdiocese for the Military Service until his retirement in 2004.
  Bishop Madera was lcnown as the bishop for the people. He had a 
passion for getting to know all his worshippers, and always wanted to 
be actively involved in the community. He was the first Hispanic to 
lead a California diocese since 1896, overseeing eight counties of 
348,300 Catholics, half of whom were Hispanic. Bishop Madera spoke four 
languages, and was unique amongst other Bishops in the United States 
because he was from a Mexican background.
  Bishop Madera is survived by his sister Carmelita and numerous nieces 
and nephews.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute 
to the life and service of Bishop Madera, whose passion, selfless 
service, and kind heart made an instrumental impact on the lives of 
those in the Valley. His humble nature and great character is something 
to be remembered. I join the Catholic and Hispanic community in 
honoring his life, his love for his worshippers, and passion for making 
a difference. He will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________