[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 203 (Monday, December 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING REYMUNDO BARRON RUIZ

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 16, 2019

  Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Reymundo Barron Ruiz, 
a Korean War combat veteran, who recently received his high school 
diploma and celebrated his 90th birthday.
  Reymundo Barron Ruiz was born in Mexico but spent much of his youth 
in Del Rio, Texas with his mother, three brothers, and four sisters. 
During the Great Depression, he attended school, while working to help 
support his family. His older brothers were called to serve during 
World War II, and as the youngest, Reymundo, stayed at home to support 
his mother and sisters. When his older brothers returned from war in 
1945, two of them were gravely injured and another relocated to Oregon, 
leaving Reymundo as the primary breadwinner of his family.
  While he was 17 years old, Reymundo attended San Felipe High School 
and attended class as often as he could, while providing for his 
family. He would routinely travel with his mother to the Santa Clara 
Valley to work in the orchards and fields. This continued until 1950, 
when Reymundo was inducted into the U.S. Army, before he could receive 
his high school diploma. He then served in combat in the Korean War, 
until he was honorably discharged. Reymundo and his brothers were not 
citizens when they fought for our country and proudly became U.S. 
citizens for their combat and military service.
  When Reymundo returned from the U.S. Army, he relocated with his 
mother to San Jose, California in pursuit of a better life. In 1954, he 
married Adelaida Macias and raised six children. As a young husband and 
father, Reymundo resumed and continued his education at night, while 
working day jobs as a laborer. In the evenings, he worked to improve 
his English while also studying chemistry and metallurgy in night 
school.
  In the 1960s, Reymundo worked in the burgeoning electronics and 
semiconductor industry. Despite having no formal degree or diploma, he 
was recognized by the National Semiconductor Corporation as a co-
inventor of processes and methods for electro-plating computer chips 
during the early stages of the Silicon Valley computer industry.
  After his retirement in 1992, Reymundo has devoted his time to the 
betterment of his family and community. He has volunteered at the local 
public schools and also helped establish the McLaughlin Corridor 
Neighborhood Association, as one of their founders.
  An extraordinary role model, he taught his children, grandchildren, 
and great-grandchildren, the importance of education and selfless 
service to others. Now his family includes teachers, law enforcement 
officers, active and retired military, as well as other public 
servants.
  Reymundo always had the regret that he had not received his high 
school diploma. However, this year on November 11, he was recognized as 
a 2019 graduate of Del Rio High School and received his diploma, 69 
years after he joined the U.S. Army and a month before his 90th 
birthday.
  I wish to congratulate Mr. Reymundo Barron Ruiz on a life 
extraordinarily well-lived and for receiving his high school diploma. I 
thank Mr. Ruiz, for his service and for his contributions to our 
country and community.

                          ____________________