[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 175 (Friday, October 9, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING JOSE ROLANDO VILLAREAL, J.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TJ COX

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 2020

  Mr. COX of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Jose Rolando Villareal, J.D. whose story of success and achievement is 
a true testament to all that is possible here in America. Throughout 
his life, Mr. Villareal has been a shining example of the immigrant 
experience in our country through his perseverance, tenacious spirit, 
and service to others.
  Mr. Villareal and his three sisters were born to Jose Maria and Elisa 
Villarreal in the border city of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico and 
immigrated with his family to the United States as a young child. The 
family originally arrived in Eagle Pass, Texas then, like so many other 
migrant farmworker families, lived in various states following the 
harvest until eventually settling in San Jose, California. There in 
Silicon Valley, Mr. Villareal was able to become the first in his 
family to attend college. He earned his bachelor's degree from San Jose 
State University and then earned his Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara 
University School of Law.
  Mr. Villareal then began his professional career in the Central 
Valley, where he served in various capacities focused on improving the 
lives of vulnerable, underserved communities in the region. He served 
as chief public defender in Fresno County for eight years and as 
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the California Rural Legal 
Assistance, an organization that has transformed the lives of thousands 
of working families and immigrant communities. Mr. Villareal has also 
served his community as Mayor of Sanger, California, where he led 
efforts to spur economic development and strengthen public safety.
  Our history as a nation of immigrants is rich with countless stories 
of struggle and success. Like many child immigrants, Mr. Villareal 
spent much of his life striving to secure a foothold in our country and 
achieve the American Dream. Though his experiences as an immigrant were 
never easy, he persevered and achieved his ultimate goal of 
successfully gaining U.S. citizenship. Throughout his career, Mr. 
Villareal endeavored to encourage other immigrants to strive for this 
goal and has become a role model for his community.
  Mr. Villareal has become a source of pride for his wife Enriqueta and 
their four children Rolando, Adrian, Alejandro, and Meliza, who have 
all supported him in sharing the story of his life via a published 
memoir. His lifetime of accomplishments has been rooted in his deep 
commitment to service. His dedication to the Central Valley's immigrant 
community and personal mission to improve the lives of others perfectly 
exemplifies the virtues of American society.
  Madam Speaker it is my privilege to recognize Mr. Villareal and I ask 
my colleagues to join me in celebrating his exemplary commitment to 
achieving the American Dream.

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