Congresswoman urges swift action to honor ‘a distinguished life.’

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) yesterday introduced a Congressional resolution to honor the life of San Jose’s Dr. Roberto Cruz. The resolution, if passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, would recognize the enormous contribution and dedication of Dr. Cruz made to improve life for Hispanics in America. Dr. Cruz was founder and first President of The National Hispanic University (NHU), which was founded in 1981.

“Dr. Roberto Cruz left us a legacy of young people who have a future because, through the power of education, he let them have one,” Lofgren said in a floor statement introducing the resolution. “I am proud to have known Dr. Cruz for over 20 years, and have seen first hand tireless work to establish and expand NHU, one of only three Hispanic Universities in the nation, and the only one west of Chicago.”

The non-binding resolution, H. Res. 576, details the life and the accomplishments of Dr. Cruz. The resolution recognizes Dr. Cruz’s legendary professionalism as a model educator, honors the live Dr. Cruz and extends condolences to the Cruz family and to the faculty, staff, and students of the National Hispanic University on the occasion of his death. Lofgren noted that 23 members of Congress including Silicon Valley Representatives Mike Honda, Anna Eshoo, and most of the Bay Area Congressional delegation and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have signed on as original cosponsors of the resolution. Congresswoman Lofgren has asked California Senators Boxer and Feinstein to introduce a similar measure in the United States Senate.

“I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to take up this resolution soon, and recognize the distinguished career and incredible contribution of Dr. Cruz.”