[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 11 (Friday, January 17, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JUDGE RAY OLIVARRI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 17, 2020

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of Judge 
Ray Olivarri who passed away on January 15, 2020 at the age of 64. A 
community leader and lifelong public servant, Judge Olivarri hails from 
my hometown of San Antonio, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Brenda 
Olivarri; two children, Lauren and Jeffrey Olivarri; and grandson 
Jeffrey Olivarri, Jr. He will be greatly missed.
  Judge Ray Olivarri was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Upon 
graduating from Luther Burbank High School, he went on to become a 
probation officer with Bexar County and served on the City of San 
Antonio Zoning Commission. Later, he went on to pursue a law degree 
from Texas Southern University in Houston.
  After practicing as a criminal defense lawyer, Olivarri was elected 
to serve in 2006 as judge for Bexar County Court at Law No. 6. In 2012, 
he was elected to serve on the 399th State District Court for four 
years. Eventually, his journey led him to serve as state judge for the 
144th District Court upon his election win in 2018. Judge Olivarri 
served on the 144th before illness compelled him to step down.
  Olivarri was a person of high caliber whose kindness was only matched 
by his dedication to his family and career. Olivarri was a 
compassionate justice, sensitive to the vulnerabilities of those who 
came before him.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to have known such a remarkable individual 
who defined what it means to live in the service of others. The entire 
San Antonio community mourns this tremendous loss. I know his legacy 
and memory will live on in every single life he changed. Judge, thank 
you for your many years of public service and commitment to our 
community.

                          ____________________