[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 24683]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 WELCOMING THE REVEREND RICHARD ESTRADA

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Solis) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. SOLIS. Thank you, Madam Speaker, and good morning to all.
  It's a privilege and honor today to welcome a dear friend of mine, 
Father Richard Estrada, who traveled from Los Angeles to be here to 
provide the House with its opening prayer. I am delighted to present 
Father Estrada to my colleagues, and I want to thank him for taking the 
time to be here.
  As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it is fitting to have Father 
Estrada serve as guest chaplain. Father Estrada has dedicated his 
entire life to serving those less fortunate than us, particularly the 
homeless and at-risk youth.
  He is the founder and executive director of Jovenes, Inc., a 
nonprofit organization which serves the homeless and at-risk immigrant 
youth and other disadvantaged individuals from the East Los Angeles 
area. He is the associate pastor at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic 
Church, La Placita, the oldest church probably in the country.
  Father Estrada received a bachelor of arts degree from the University 
of San Francisco and studied theology and pastoral counseling at the 
Graduate School of Theology in Berkeley, California, the Mexican 
American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the Fred C. Neiles 
School in Whittier, California.
  In addition to his advocacy on behalf of the homeless and young 
people, Father Estrada is a champion for the humane treatment of all 
immigrants and their families. In fact, I recall him asking me to go 
with him across the border to place bottles of water for those 
immigrants that were dying in the fields and in the desert.
  I ask my colleagues to welcome Father Richard to the House today. We 
have before us a great man of honor and compassion.

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