[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 195 (Thursday, December 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING JUDGE FREDERICK P. AGUIRRE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2022

  Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
achievements and career of retired California Superior Court Judge 
Frederick P. Aguirre.
  Judge Aguirre attributes every opportunity he had in life to the 
heroism of his family, particularly his father, who played a major role 
in helping desegregate the schools he and his siblings attended in 
Placentia, California.
  A graduate of the University of Southern California and the 
University of California at Los Angeles Law School, Judge Aguirre 
learned to appreciate that it was the service of his father in the U.S. 
Military, along with numerous other family members, that gave his padre 
the power to stand up to the inequity he saw after returning home from 
World War II.
  Aguirre's father, Alfred, Uncles Richard and Joe, and 23 assorted 
cousins all served in Germany, Italy, North Africa, the Pacific in all 
branches of the U.S. Military during World War II, He also had 6 
cousins who served in the Korean War and others who are still military 
members.
  After returning from war, many of those servicemen, now accustomed to 
receiving the same treatment as white soldiers, did not stand by when 
their children were expected to attend separate schools. Aguirre's 
father, who worked in construction the rest of his life, joined the 
fight to integrate Orange County Schools, eventually becoming the first 
Hispanic City Councilman in Placentia.
  Because of the sacrifices of his antepasados ancestors, Aguirre 
achieved success as a lawyer and as a judge. His wife, Linda, whose 
father and 5 uncles served in World War II and Korea, also experienced 
an accomplished career as a teacher for 3 decades in the Anaheim Union 
High School District. The couple, who never forgot the freedom and 
opportunities their forefathers provided, realized it was now time for 
them to reciprocate by researching and documenting the pivotal--and 
largely unknown--role Mexican Americans from Orange County played in 
U.S. military history,
  Under the non-profit Latino Advocates for Education, Frederick and 
Linda, along with research partner Rogelio Rodriguez, produced books, a 
documentary and a website, which is now managed by the Orange County 
Department of Education.
  Their recognition efforts also involved holding numerous community 
events to honor Latino veterans at local colleges and universities. 
These events continue today, most recently with Chapman University's 
History Department, which has taken on the task of recording oral 
histories of Orange County's Latino veterans.
  Judge Aguirre's efforts to recognize and honor Latino veterans calls 
attention to his dedication in uplifting his Hispanic community. 
Throughout his professional career, he served as the President of the 
Orange County Hispanic Bar Association, as well as the President of the 
League of United Latin American Citizen.
  Among his many accolades, he was recognized in 2014 as one of the 
``101 Influential Latinos in the U.S.'' by Latino Leaders Magazine. 
Additionally, Mr, Aguirre was named Judge of the Year by the Hispanic 
Bar Association of Orange County in 2003.
  Frederick Aguirre has created a legacy with roots that trace back to 
his father, a WWII veteran, his mother, Julia, who supported the war 
effort as a Rosie the Riveter working at Douglas Aircraft in Long 
Beach, and to his many relatives who served honorably in the U.S. 
Military,
  For his efforts, the world now knows the names of the Mexican-
Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. 
I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the legacy of Judge 
Frederick P. Aguirre's work to ensure that Mexican-American veterans 
will be remembered honorably in American history.

                          ____________________