E722 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 30, 2021 Unit Citation Award: Sergeant Daniel countless others, Operation H.O.P.E. was at such an important part of his life. Cruz had the Weinsberg, Officers Sean Carter and Mat- the center of supporting grieving families who urge to serve while attending grade school thew Hughes, and Administrative Specialist lost loved ones. They helped find funeral after he recognized the segregation he and his Tina Shumway of the Sarasota Police De- peers were facing. He attended and graduated partment. homes for those who were killed and helped offset the cost of repatriation of the Mexican from then in 1953, served f nationals who died that day. This past Easter, two years in the Army’s Counterintelligence IN RECOGNITION OF DEPUTY JON they gave away food and Easter baskets to Corps, then attended the University of Cali- HOLT over 400 families in need. Whether it is a holi- fornia, Berkeley School of Law where he was day or tragedy, Operation H.O.P.E. is there the only Latino in his 1958 graduating class. HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN when we need them. Cruz was known as a trailblazer to those I am proud to be sharing Operation who crossed his path. He began his career in OF H.O.P.E.’s work today, and am grateful for service as a staff secretary for the office of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES their continued service to our community. Governor Edmund G. ‘‘Pat’’ Brown and asso- ciate general counsel of the Equal Employ- Wednesday, June 30, 2021 f ment Opportunity Commission. Cruz became Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise the first Latino director of the California Rural today to recognize Deputy Jon Holt for his he- HONORING PAUL DELACRUZ Legal Assistance organization, and the first roic actions and continued outstanding serv- MEGIA Latino to be a law professor at the University ice. of New Mexico. What brought him back to Most recently, Deputy Holt has been recog- HON. JERRY McNERNEY California was his historic 1976 appointment to nized for his courageous act of heroism in the OF CALIFORNIA the Court of Appeals, 3rd Appellate District, as line of duty. Single-handedly, Deputy Holt res- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the first Latino to fill the seat. Again, he was cued a woman from being crushed and suffo- Wednesday, June 30, 2021 the first Hispanic Associate Judge on the Cali- cated underneath an overturned car when he fornia Supreme Court. lifted the vehicle off the trapped woman. Both Mr. MCNERNEY. Madam Speaker, once again, our nation has experienced a mass He was a leader, a wise, and a caring indi- the mother and her child were able to walk vidual who was ready to help. Cruz continued shooting, this time in our own neighborhood. away from the accident unharmed. his service to others as he practiced in law The deadly shooting that occurred on This was not the first time that Deputy Holt firms. He was a mentor and a law professor Wednesday May 28, 2021 at the Santa Clara has exhibited bravery and commitment to pub- at the University of California Los Angeles Valley Transportation Authority too the lives of lic safety. Deputy Holt was also recognized by School of Law. Cruz was given the inaugural the Greater Hampton Roads Regional Crime nine individuals. It is with great sadness that Boochever and Bird Endowed Chair for the Line as both the local and regional ‘‘Top Cop’’ I share one of those individuals was my con- Study and Teaching of Freedom and Equality after rescuing two people trapped in a burning stituent, Paul Delacruz Megia. at the University of California Davis School of house. Paul Delacruz Megia immigrated to the Law. While doing so, he also began his eleven In addition to his eight years with the from the Philippines at a young years of service on the U.S. Commission on Gloucester County Sheriff’s Department, Dep- age and was a resident of Mountain House, Civil Rights, where he served as the vice uty Holt served his country in Iraq as a mem- California. He was a son, brother, husband, chairman. ber of the Virginia National Guard. In 2007 he and father who leaves behind his wife and When he was taking a break from lending a was severely wounded by an improvised ex- three children. hand, he was getting recognized for his inspir- plosive device while on patrol in Baghdad. Fol- Paul joined Valley Transportation Authority ing and tireless commitment to service. Cruz lowing several years of rehabilitation and after in 2002 as a bus operator trainee and worked received eight Honorary Doctorates. President medical retirement from the military, Holt his way up to an assistant superintendent in Clinton awarded Cruz the Presidential Medal joined the Sheriff’s Department. service management. His supervisor shared of Freedom in 2000 and the Hispanic Heritage Currently, Deputy Holt is completing his that he had a calming effect on others and Foundation Award. Additionally, there con- master’s degree in National Security and re- was always willing to lend a helping hand to tinues to be an investment to help students cently began his assignment with the Glouces- those in need. with their law school endeavors through fel- ter Investigations Unit where he hopes to con- Paul is remembered as full of life and love. lowship and scholarship opportunities in tinue to serve his country and community. He helped others to reach their goals of pur- Cruz’s name. His legacy continues to be felt in Deputy Holt has repeatedly put his own life suing careers in transportation by serving as a Sacramento through the Cruz Reynoso Bar on the line to keep others safe. It is an honor mentor with the Overhead Line Worker ap- Association. Cruz was a proud son of a farm to recognize his valiant efforts and know that prenticeship program at Mission College in working family. He spent his entire life in serv- his substantial contribution to law enforcement Santa Clara, also serving as the liaison be- ice advocating for workers and immigrants has not gone unnoticed. I commend Deputy tween the College and Valley Transportation throughout his career. He was a friend to Jon Holt for his service throughout the years. Authority. Paul cared for others and in his final many in his life and evolved his passion to Therefore, Madam Speaker, I ask that you rise moments, he risked his life to keep his co- giving back to others. with me to recognize the brave and humble workers safe. He is a hero, and his courage He is survived by four brothers and four sis- service of Deputy Jon Holt. will never be forgotten. ters; four children and their spouses; two step- children and their spouses; seventeen grand- f I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and memory of Paul Delacruz Megia. children, three step grandchildren and two RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF f great grandchildren. OPERATION H.O.P.E. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join HONORING THE LIFE OF JUSTICE me in honoring the life of Justice Cruz HON. VERONICA ESCOBAR CRUZ REYNOSO Reynoso. His service and contributions to the Nation and State of California will be missed. OF TEXAS I join his family and friends in celebrating IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. JIM COSTA Cruz’s life. OF CALIFORNIA Wednesday, June 30, 2021 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, today I HONORING MR. JAMES MCINGVALE rise to recognize the work and service of Op- Wednesday, June 30, 2021 eration H.O.P.E. Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to Operation H.O.P.E, which stands for Help- honor the life of Justice Cruz Reynoso. Cruz HON. STEVEN M. PALAZZO OF MISSISSIPPI ing Other People Endure, was founded in passed away on May 7, 2021. Cruz was a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2009 by Angel Gomez, a life-long El Pasoan Veteran of the , a law pro- and U.S. Navy veteran. Throughout the fessor, role model, a father, grandfather, hus- Wednesday, June 30, 2021 COVID–19 pandemic, Operation H.O.P.E. has band. Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, I rise today provided funeral assistance to over 1,100 fam- Cruz was born on May 2, 1931 in Brea, to honor the outstanding work of Mr. James ilies who have lost loved ones. In the wake of California and was raised in a barrio outside of W. Mcingvale who is retiring from Ingalls ship- the August 3, 2019 domestic terrorist attack La Habra, California. With his experiences, yard after more than four decades of service that killed 23 beautiful souls and wounded public and community service grew to become to South Mississippi.

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