[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 118 (Friday, June 26, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF RUFUS HERNANDEZ, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2020

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service 
of Mr. Rufus Hernandez, Jr., who passed away on April 19, 2020. Rufus 
was a longtime Fresno community leader and veteran of the Merchant 
Marines and Air Force, who dedicated his life to helping others.
  Rufus was born on February 12, 1927 in Roseville, California. At the 
age of 17, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines and served as a mariner 
seaman on the William N. Byers Liberty Ship in 1945 and the SS Monroe 
Victory Ship from 1945 to 1946 during World War II. His duties included 
lookout, cargo transfer, and deckhand. Rufus volunteered to navigate 
the ship through a foreign port and channels when there was no pilot 
available to navigate. After his time in the Merchant Marines, Rufus 
joined the Air Force in 1948 until his service ended in 1952. He served 
in the 7th Air Division and volunteered for photography training which 
took him to Denver, South Dakota, and England. He earned the rank of 
staff sergeant and ran the photography department along with training 
new recruits.
  After his military career, Rufus became a restaurateur and a bank 
executive. He most enjoyed being a father to his six children and 
later, a grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoyed spending his 
time with his fellow veteran friends and was involved in the American 
Legion. He was honored as Grand Marshall in 2014 Central Valley 
Veterans Day Parade, representing the Merchant Marines. For many years, 
Rufus participated in the Central Valley Veterans Day Parade and 
enjoyed being around veterans who loved their country just as much as 
he did.
  Rufus is preceded in death by his father, Rufus Hernandez, Sr., 
mother, Sarah Hernandez (Morales), and his two brothers, Robert and 
Michael Hernandez.
  He is survived by his children, daughter Catherine Hernandez, 
daughter Cheryl Walter and son-in-law Marty Walter, daughter Teresa 
Smith and son-in-law Doug Smith, daughter Sandra Bettencourt and son-
in-law Jeff Bettencourt, son Richard Hernandez and daughter-in-law Sol 
Fernandez, daughter Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ahrens; and his many 
grandchildren and great grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Rufus Hernandez, Jr. His commitment to his country and dedication to 
the Central Valley has left an impact. I join his family and friends in 
honoring his great life.

                          ____________________