[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 104 (Thursday, June 20, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4178-S4179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     REMEMBERING DOMINGA BUSTAMANTE

 Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise today to celebrate the 
life of Dominga Bustamante, a selfless community leader and an adored 
mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who passed away in May at 
the age of 89.
  Dominga Bustamante's family first migrated to California in search of 
agricultural work and settled in the town of Dinuba, CA, in Tulare 
County. It was there that she would meet her high school sweetheart and 
the love of her life, Cruz Bustamante Jr., with whom she would have six 
children: Cruz, Belinda, Dorothy, Ron, Andrew, and Naomi.
  But it was further west in San Joaquin, CA, where Dominga would make 
her biggest impact. Though she held no elected office and had no formal 
obligation to serve, her personal moral convictions and her deep 
religious values made her a relentless force for good.
  She was the unofficial ``Welcome Host'' to Hindu and Sikh families 
moving to town, an ally to families trying

[[Page S4179]]

to secure Social Security benefits, and a friend to seniors who needed 
a ride to appointments. She split her time between serving as a 
bilingual instructional aide, a San Joaquin Teen Club adviser and teen 
anxiety first responder, and even a law enforcement interdiction 
advocate. She was also a devout Catholic, serving for years as a 
Catechism teacher in San Joaquin and Fresno.
  For her dedication, she was recognized by California Latina Leaders 
in Action with the Lifetime Achievement Award and by the Diocese of 
Fresno with the Bishop's Catechist Appreciation Certificate.
  Whether seeking her help after just moving to town, praying alongside 
her in church, or even joining for her tamale-making parties, countless 
people felt welcome in California because of Dominga Bustamante.
  My wife Angela and I pray for Dominga and the entire Bustamante 
family, and our hearts go out to her 6 children, 13 grandchildren, and 
24 great-grandchildren.

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