[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING DAVID CRUZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 28, 2025

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
contributions that David Cruz made to our community through his 
voluateerism with the Knights of Columbus. When Hurricane Beryl hit 
Texas, Operation Barbeque Relief sent David to Texas. While there, he 
organized 21 Knights in six days to make 7,500 meals a day. These meals 
were fed to relief workers and victims of the hurricane. David is the 
Disaster preparedness Coordinator for the Knights for the Dioceses of 
St. Petersburg which encompasses Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and 
Hernando counties.
  After Hurricane Milton, David was assigned to accompany and work with 
a Medical Crew from Ohio. Together, they treated over 400 patients 
providing medical assistance to those in need. The team also worked 
with Fresh Start for Pasco to feed shut-ins in East Pasco for 
Thanksgiving. David has worked on bringing together many of the 
spiritual groups and civic organizations within the community to help 
hurricane victims. Thanks to these efforts, Our Lady Queen of Peace 
served 12,000 families during the six weeks after the hurricanes. David 
still works with Fresh Start for Pasco, Endeavors, and Pinellas 
Emergency Operations Center to help victims of disasters. Most 
recently, his volunteerism brought David to muck out homes where the 
water has finally receded.
  It is clear David Cruz has made a profoundly positive impact on our 
community, and I am grateful for his service. May we all strive to 
serve our communities with the same dedication and humility.

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