[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2859]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING REVEREND HECTOR VILLEGAS

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 2013

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the 
life of a beloved leader in the Newman Community, Reverend Hector 
Villegas, and to recognize his tireless work as the Pastor of St. 
Joachim's Catholic Church. Ministering to thousands, Reverend Villegas 
earned the respect of fellow clergy and civic leaders alike.
  The Rev. Hector Villegas of Newman passed away March 1 at the age of 
48, only days from his 49th birthday. The Rev. Villegas was known for 
serving the parish with compassion and devotion, a spiritual leader 
whose own life was guided by his deep faith.
  He was born and raised in Tijuana, where he was surrounded by many 
friends and enjoyed childhood adventures with his older sister 
Patricia. He had a lifelong passion for exercise, and through adulthood 
could often be found working out at a gym. His participation in a youth 
ministry camp inspired him to become a priest.
  After graduating from the Tijuana Diocese Seminary with a degree in 
philosophy, the Rev. Villegas came to California in 1998 as a 
seminarian at St. Jude's parish in Ceres. He attended St. John's 
Seminary in Camarillo and St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park before 
being ordained June 29, 2002, by Bishop Stephen Blaire at the Cathedral 
of the Annunciation.
  The Rev. Villegas served at St. Stanislaus in Modesto from 2002 to 
2007, serving as a parochial vicar and later administrator pro tem.
  He is survived by his mother, Evangelina Villegas of San Diego; and 
two sisters, Patricia Hernandez of Chula Vista and Adriana Quiroz 
Villegas of San Diego.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Reverend Villegas for his 
unwavering leadership, and recognizing his accomplishments and 
contributions as Pastor of St. Joachim's Catholic Church. The life of 
Reverend Hector Villegas serves as an example of excellence to those in 
our community, and his legacy will not be soon forgotten.

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