[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6409-6410]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN JOSEPH SOUZA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 18, 2008

  Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, it is with the greatest respect and 
admiration that I rise today to honor the late Mr. John Joseph Souza. 
As a lifelong resident of Atwater, California, John was not only a 
beloved member of our community, but he was an endearing, personal 
friend of my family. At the age of 77, John Souza passed away on 
Thursday, April 10, 2008.
  John was born in Atwater, California on August 8, 1930 to John and 
Palmira Souza. He attended Atwater Jordan Elementary School, and then 
Livingston High School where he graduated in 1948. In 1951 John served 
in the U.S. Army in Korea, and in the years following he married the 
love of his life, Madeline Perry. Upon beginning their life together, 
John and Madeline purchased the Souza family's ranch. John operated the 
Souza Dairy for 16 years, owned Souza's Automotive Service in Atwater 
for 8 years, and then founded Souza's Bailbonds Company, which has been 
open for the last 34 years. As his lifetime of service reflects, John 
was a true entrepreneur who happily wore a number of different hats on 
a daily basis. Not only an avid businessman in the community, John was 
also a devoted member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, participated in 
a number of fraternal organizations, served as Director of the Merced 
Trade Club, was a member of the Winton V.F.W. and was a Director of the 
California Bailbond Association of America. In addition to his 
extensive community service, John was also a member of the U.S. 
Marshals Posse, the Merced County Sheriffs Posse and Merced County 
Search and Rescue. He thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the 
Sheriff's Posse with his horse Blaze, with whom he traveled to 
Washington, DC to ride in the Presidential Inauguration Parade for 
President Bush.
  Throughout their lifetime together, John and Madeline traveled to 
every State in the country, as well as a number of international 
destinations including Portugal, Mexico, Italy, Canada, Greece and 
France. Traveling was a

[[Page 6410]]

favorite pastime for John and Madeline, often venturing down an unknown 
road just to see where it would take them. In addition to his passion 
for travel, John's Portuguese heritage meant the world to him. He was a 
true historian of Portuguese information surrounding the Valley and was 
fond of attending any Festa he could.
  John was preceded in death by his son, John Joseph Souza, Jr. He is 
survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Madeline; his son Thomas and 
daughter-in-law Molly; his son Daniel and daughter-in-law Julia; his 
grandsons Thomas John Souza, Jr. and Timothy Manuel Souza; his brother 
David Souza and sister Mamie Angelo; and numerous nieces and nephews. 
Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor and privilege to join the Souza 
family and my hometown of Atwater in remembering my dear friend, John 
Joseph Souza. His life was dedicated to his family, friends and service 
to his community, and in his passing we have lost greatly.

                          ____________________