[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CAMILO HERMOSILLO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 4, 2020

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
exceptional life of Camilo Hermosillo.
  Camilo was born July 28, 1929, in Jalostotitlan Jalisco, Mexico. He 
was raised in humble circumstances, by a single mother. He often 
recounted working with his mother in the corn fields for a penny a day. 
Camilo immigrated to the United States as a young man in 1947 as part 
of the Bracero program.
  His life was built on a foundation of hard work and service, and he 
was always grateful for the opportunities that the United States 
provided him. He had many farming and agricultural jobs throughout his 
life. He worked on the Leveroni Ranch in south Sonoma, where he worked 
for three generations of Leveronis. He and his wife owned the first 
Mexican market and restaurant in Sonoma Valley. With his hard work, he 
was able to purchase three homes in Sonoma County, which he rented out 
inexpensively to give Latino families a hand up.
  An immigrant himself, Camilo understood the barriers that many 
Latinos must overcome in order to create a happy and successful life in 
the United States. He dedicated himself and his resources to serving 
fellow Latino immigrants. He helped find jobs, drove people to the DMV 
to get their driver licenses, and even housed people in the spare 
bedrooms of his own home. He found great joy in helping his own family 
and other Latinos get settled in California.
  Camilo is survived by his loving wife, Maria, and their children; 
Gabriel Hermosillo, Gerardo Hermosillo, Carmen Cervantes, Marco Antonio 
Hermosillo, Martha Sanchez, and Rebecca Hermosillo. He is preceded in 
death by his daughter Cecilia Hermosillo. He leaves behind 14 
grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and a large extended family.
  Madam Speaker, Camilo Hermosillo was the kind of father that everyone 
wishes for, and the kind of person we should all strive to be. It is 
therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

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