[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 150 (Monday, September 19, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF CHUCK FUENTES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 19, 2022

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a very heavy heart 
to honor the life of Chuck Fuentes, my dear friend and confidant, who 
passed away on September 13 at the age of 70.
  Born March 16, 1952 in Whittier, CA to Robert H. and Theresa M. 
Fuentes, Charles Patrick ``Chuck'' Fuentes was raised in the City of 
Norwalk, CA. He attended St. John of God Catholic School, St. John 
Bosco High School, Cerritos Community College, and the University of 
California-Berkeley.
  Chuck was raised a proud Democrat by his father, Robert H. ``Bob'' 
Fuentes, a politico of some note. Chuck ran countless campaigns and ran 
for office himself. He was a shrewd strategist with a keen sense of 
timing, and he had a knack for connecting a candidate's vision to 
voters' concerns.
  Chuck was a ubiquitous presence in city, county, state, and national 
politics, causes, and committees, and was elected the youngest member 
of the Cerritos Community College Board of Trustees. He served for 26 
years on the Democratic State Central Committee, was elected Vice Chair 
of the California Democratic Patty in 1989, and was a delegate to the 
Democratic National Convention.
  Working at all levels of government, Chuck was at one time my right 
hand, serving as my advisor on the Norwalk City Council and my Chief of 
Staff in the State Assembly and the United States Congress. My 
gratitude for all his years of service knows no bounds. He was 
instrumental in helping guide me as a public servant but was so much 
more than an employee. Chuck was family, and his loss is immeasurable.
  Chuck was also campaign manager for James K. Hahn in his final 
successful campaign for City Controller and his later successful 
campaigns for City Attorney and for Mayor of Los Angeles. He served as 
Chief Administrative Officer for the Los Angeles City Controller's 
Office and later as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Los 
Angeles City Attorney. Chuck was City Manager of Pico Rivera and was 
General Manager at the Central Basin Municipal Water District.
  A devout Roman Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus, 
Norwalk Council 3678, Chuck was an active member of numerous church 
communities and served as a parish bereavement minister.
  Chuck is survived by his spouse, Linda L. Unruh; siblings Christine 
M. Fuentes, Roberta T. ``Bobbi'' Buescher, Andrea Kunkel (Robert), 
Cecilia C. Fuentes, Robert H. Fuentes III, Christopher Fuentes (Paul), 
and Joseph A. Fuentes (Amy); and godchildren Ryan A. Kunkel, Jonathan 
Palomares, Robert H. Fuentes IV, and Ray Morones.
  I extend my deepest sympathies to the family, colleagues, and friends 
of Chuck Fuentes, and I urge all my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing his distinguished life and public service. Although he is 
deeply missed, he will forever remain in our hearts.

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