[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 100 (Thursday, June 13, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     REMEMBERING DOMINGA BUSTAMANTE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania). The Chair 
recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardenas) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the 
life of a remarkable and loving woman, Dominga Reyes Bustamante, who 
recently passed away on May 20, 2024, at the age of 89.
  Dominga Reyes Bustamante led a life full of service and charity that 
touched so many lives and today is worthy of praise. Her story 
initiated in Dinuba, California, the place her family decided to 
migrate to and work in the Central Valley's agriculture fields. She was 
a proud alum of the local Dinuba schools.
  It was at Dinuba High School where she met her husband, Cruz 
Bustamante, Jr. Their love and desire to start their family took them 
to San Joaquin, California, the place that saw Dominga blossom into a 
social and cultural icon.
  Dominga was a public servant without having any official title. She 
saw the need in her community and was moved to action.
  She was a member of the Volunteers in Service to America program, 
VISTA, where she helped low-income families obtain their Social 
Security benefits. As a CSO organizer, she spent her days driving her 
community's elderly to nearby Fresno for their appointments, as well as 
interacting with local, city, and county officials and boards to ensure 
that the citizens of San Joaquin and the surrounding communities were 
given the fair and equitable rights they deserved.

  Dominga formed the San Joaquin Teen Club, where she served as an 
adviser and teen anxiety first responder. She was a law enforcement 
interdiction advocate, a bilingual instructional aide, a certificated 
healthcare provider, and a social and political activist.
  A devout Catholic, Dominga wanted to share her faith with others, so 
she taught catechism for many years in San Joaquin and Fresno.
  Dominga's kind spirit extended to newcomers as she served as the 
unofficial welcome host to new Hindu and Sikh families moving into her 
community.
  Throughout her public service and acts of goodwill, she never 
demanded anything in return, but her community took notice of her works 
and honored her while she was with us. In 2001, Fresno State University 
celebrated Dominga and her husband, Cruz, during their 25th annual 
Latino commencement as they paid tribute to all parents who guide and 
encourage their children to succeed. In 2002, Dominga received the 
Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Latina Leaders in Action 
in recognition of her long-term involvement in community empowerment 
and advocacy.
  The Diocese of Fresno recognized her for more than 30 years of 
service as a faithful minister of God's Word and presented her with the 
Bishop's Catechist Appreciation Certificate.
  All these accomplishments and accolades served as a perfect example 
for her six children as they, too, were inspired to a life of service.
  Among them was Cruz Miguel Bustamante, who became the first Latino to 
serve as speaker of the California State Assembly and California's 45th 
Lieutenant Governor.
  In her later years, Dominga stayed active and involved in the 
community by volunteering for the Fresno Food Bank and continuing as a 
catechism teacher for members of her congregation.
  She took to caring for and maintaining her cactus garden, reading the 
latest Karen Kingsbury novel, and giving her time to friends and 
family. Her home served as the family gathering spot for holidays, 
birthdays, and tamale-making parties. She also became an accomplished 
seamstress and quilter and made sure each grandchild had their own 
special handmade blanket.
  Although she is no longer with us, her kindness, love, faith, wisdom, 
and legacy will live on with the entire Bustamante family as she is 
survived by her six children, Cruz, Belinda, Dorothy, Ron, Andrew, and 
Naomi, her 13 grandchildren, and her 24 great-grandchildren.
  With all my admiration, ``rest in peace,'' ``descanse en paz,'' 
Senora Dominga.
  Dominga is a perfect example of a true American who gave of herself 
during her entire life and was selfless not only for her community but 
her country.
  Once again, Dominga will live on forever in the hearts of many of us 
who she touched.

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