[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E93-E94]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF BOBBY CONTRERAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2022

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to 
commemorate the life of Bobby Contreras and to pay tribute to his 
lasting legacy in Kansas City, Missouri. The world that Bobby Contreras 
has left is brighter, kinder, and more joyful because of the sixty-
seven years of life that he shared with us. I am grateful to God for 
giving Bobby to his family and friends, and I am grateful to them for 
sharing Bobby with us.
  Father. Grandfather. Union member. ``DJ Bobby C.'' Bobby Contreras 
was a man who seemed to be everywhere, both physically and spiritually. 
Somehow, all at one time, Bobby managed to be truly present--as an 
outgoing

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coworker at Kansas City Power & Light and Aramco Steel; as a Board 
Member and volunteer at Fiesta Hispana; as a passionate member of the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1464; as a 
weekend DJ; and as an extraordinarily loving and playful father and 
grandfather. But Bobby was also spiritually pervasive. His light, his 
smile, his very presence could fill any room, any venue, and any party. 
Bobby instilled this light in his children, and despite his physical 
absence, his spirit will continue to be felt anywhere the two of them 
appear. Through the joy he spread, Bobby's presence could be felt 
throughout the community, and the reverberations of his life--a life 
well lived for nearly seven decades--will continue to be felt for 
years.
  In all parts of his life, Bobby combined that vibrant presence with 
pure dedication. He was religious about Joseph's and Jackson's 
ballgames--both in attendance and in fervor. He kept every ticket, 
every recital program. He passionately campaigned to bring Tejano 
artists to Kansas City as a part of his lifelong effort to celebrate 
the Mexican American heritage he valued so deeply. He worked tirelessly 
to provide a better future for his children and grandchildren, blazing 
a path through an industry where few Hispanic individuals had trod 
before. He volunteered both inside and outside of his community. He 
brought his DJing skills from large gigs to backyard Bar-B-Ques, 
sharing with others his love for Kool & The Gang, Santana, and Jay 
Perez. His adventurous spirit was a vestige of his younger days, and 
like so many parts of Bobby's youth, it only grew more brilliant with 
age. Bringing together the adventurous and dedicated sides of his soul, 
Bobby charted a life course we should all hope to emulate.
  The pain that accompanies the death of a loved one can be especially 
difficult for children to understand, and I can imagine how Joseph, 
Jackson, and Jada will be missing their grandfather's spontaneous 
visits and groovy tunes. I hope they know that he is still, and will 
always remain, just over their shoulders, right behind home plate, 
cheering them on. To Patrick and Jessica, as you witness your father 
trek up far beyond the ``City of the Sun,'' I know you understand that 
he leaves you with an unmistakable guide to living life the right way. 
Today, he enters the ``Land of 1000 Dances,'' and it will be a long 
time before we join him. But he's certainly left us with plenty of 
moves to practice.
  Since I learned of Bobby's passing, I have been listening to the 
wonderful ``living'' play list you have been putting together of ``DJ 
Bobby C'' standards. One song in particular has stood out to me. I'm 
not sure why. I'm not sure if it's the bouncy accordion, the smooth, 
airy vocals, or its feeling of togetherness so sorely lacking in the 
world today. Regardless, I've been thinking about it all week. It's 
Track 12: Michael Salgado's 1994 song ``Cruz De Madera'' off the album 
Nuevas Y Favoritas. ``. . . Cuando yo me muera,'' Salgado sings, ``Yo 
no quiero lujos ni mesas de adobe/ No quiero una caja que valga 
millions/ Lo unico que quiero es que canten canciones.'' Lo unica que 
quiero es que canten canciones. I think we can swing that, don't you?
  Madam Speaker, my prayers are with Bobby's family and friends as they 
adjust to this momentous loss. In death, Bobby has found peace in the 
arms of his parents and in the arms of God. I don't know what playlist 
he's cooking up right now or how he plans to get Heaven on its feet 
tonight, but I do know there isn't a place in the universe Bobby 
couldn't make better. Like the speaker in Salgado's song, Bobby never 
asked much of anyone, but he did ask us to feel the music, let go of 
tomorrow, and dance along--for him, yes, but mostly for us. The pain of 
mortality may have dimmed the lights, but Bobby's party will go on 
forever.

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