[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 122 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING BISHOP RICHARD J. GARCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2018

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of the 
Most Reverend Richard John Garcia, bishop of the Diocese of Monterey. 
Bishop Garcia lived a long life, filled with God and God's children. 
His service to the central coast of California and love for all people 
will be missed.
   Bishop Garcia was the son of immigrants from Mexico who wanted to 
give their children a better life. That American Dream was fulfilled 
when Bishop Garcia became a priest in 1973 and pursued further doctoral 
studies in Dogmatic Theology in Rome from 1980 to 1984. After serving 
multiple dioceses in California, Bishop Garcia was named fourth bishop 
of Diocese of Monterey by Pope Benedict XVI.
   When Bishop Garcia would see you, he would grab you and he would not 
look through you, but at you. It was then that you would feel his love 
and divine spirit for every man. He welcomed everyone who entered his 
church but also those who entered this country. He did not just care 
about people, but also the future of our planet, as an early supporter 
of a power plan which promoted and provided renewable energy to our 
community.
   As recounted by the Diocese of Monterey and known by anyone to have 
had the pleasure of knowing Bishop Garcia, he had a special concern for 
the poor, the incarcerated, migrant workers and immigrant communities. 
He always had time for his priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, 
and the people of God throughout the Diocese of Monterey, especially 
children with special needs. He was proud of his Mexican-American 
heritage and the diversity of cultures that are represented in the 
Church.
   Saint Junipero Serra, another eminent priest from the Central Coast, 
encouraged followers of God to ``always go forward and never turn 
back.'' As we look back on the life of Richard Garcia, we know that his 
spirit, love, and guidance provides us with the divinity to always go 
forward. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating 
the life of Bishop Richard John Garcia.

                          ____________________