[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF JUSTICE CRUZ REYNOSO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 30, 2021

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Justice 
Cruz Reynoso. Cruz passed away on May 7, 2021. Cruz was a Veteran of 
the United States Army, a law professor, role model, a father, 
grandfather, husband.
  Cruz was born on May 2, 1931 in Brea, California and was raised in a 
barrio outside of La Habra, California. With his experiences, public 
and community service grew to become such an important part of his 
life. Cruz had the urge to serve while attending grade school after he 
recognized the segregation he and his peers were facing. He attended 
and graduated from then Pomona College in 1953, served two years in the 
Army's Counterintelligence Corps, then attended the University of 
California, Berkeley School of Law where he was the only Latino in his 
1958 graduating class.
  Cruz was known as a trailblazer to those who crossed his path. He 
began his career in service as a staff secretary for the office of 
Governor Edmund G. ``Pat'' Brown and associate general counsel of the 
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Cruz became the first Latino 
director of the California Rural Legal Assistance organization, and the 
first Latino to be a law professor at the University of New Mexico. 
What brought him back to California was his historic 1976 appointment 
to the Court of Appeals, 3rd Appellate District, as the first Latino to 
fill the seat. Again, he was the first Hispanic Associate Judge on the 
California Supreme Court.
  He was a leader, a wise, and a caring individual who was ready to 
help. Cruz continued his service to others as he practiced in law 
firms. He was a mentor and a law professor at the University of 
California Los Angeles School of Law. Cruz was given the inaugural 
Boochever and Bird Endowed Chair for the Study and Teaching of Freedom 
and Equality at the University of California Davis School of Law. While 
doing so, he also began his eleven years of service on the U.S. 
Commission on Civil Rights, where he served as the vice chairman.
  When he was taking a break from lending a hand, he was getting 
recognized for his inspiring and tireless commitment to service. Cruz 
received eight Honorary Doctorates. President Clinton awarded Cruz the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000 and the Hispanic Heritage 
Foundation Award. Additionally, there continues to be an investment to 
help students with their law school endeavors through fellowship and 
scholarship opportunities in Cruz's name. His legacy continues to be 
felt in Sacramento through the Cruz Reynoso Bar Association. Cruz was a 
proud son of a farm working family. He spent his entire life in service 
advocating for workers and immigrants throughout his career. He was a 
friend to many in his life and evolved his passion to giving back to 
others.
  He is survived by four brothers and four sisters; four children and 
their spouses; two stepchildren and their spouses; seventeen 
grandchildren, three step grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
Justice Cruz Reynoso. His service and contributions to the Nation and 
State of California will be missed. I join his family and friends in 
celebrating Cruz's life.

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