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[Page H7250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF LARRY N. OLINGER
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
California (Mr. Ruiz) for 5 minutes.
Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Larry N. Olinger, Vice
Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a dedicated,
inspiring leader who passed away July 15, 2019, at the age of 80.
Vice Chairman Olinger grew up in Palm Springs and, later, in Orange
County, where he spent many years breeding and racing horses.
From a young age, Vice Chairman Olinger was drawn to enacting
positive change in his community through public service.
Vice Chairman Olinger was first elected to Tribal Council in 1961,
where he began his 60-year career. He went on to serve in every
position on Tribal Council, including secretary, treasurer, chairman,
and eventually vice chairman in 2012.
As the first chairman of the Agua Caliente Development Authority,
Olinger championed gaming as a Tribal business enterprise, stimulating
economic growth and strengthening Tribal sovereignty.
His leadership also spanned from the Native American Rights Fund to
the State of California and the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy,
where he advocated for the protection of our communities' natural and
cultural resources.
Our communities have lost a great man and generational leader in Vice
Chairman Olinger's passing. His passion, class, and concern for the
well-being of others, including his Tribe and our surrounding
communities, was admirable.
I have always admired Chairman Olinger's strong character and
lifelong commitment to learning; and I will deeply miss his caring
nature and dry sense of humor.
Vice Chairman Olinger often called his ``proudest achievement'' his
marriage to his wife, Susan.
Susan, my heart goes out to you and the entire Olinger family.
I also send my heartfelt condolences to the Agua Caliente Band of
Cahuilla Indians.
We will miss Vice Chairman Olinger deeply; but we can honor his
legacy by loving our neighbors, caring for the Earth, and protecting
and respecting the rich culture and sovereignty of Tribal communities.
{time} 1030
Honoring Jesus Rivera Osuna
Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jesus Rivera Osuna, a
soft-spoken, true family man, who passed away on June 28, 2019, at the
age of 74.
Mr. Osuna is the father of my childhood best friend, Oscar Osuna. I
spent so much time at the Osuna home that they became my second family,
and Mr. Osuna always made me feel welcome and part of the family.
I remember his patience, humility, and loving and calming nature. He
was also a kind, stable, and secure male role model in our rough-and-
tumble impoverished community.
Mr. Osuna was a hardworking man and ran his own business for 50
years, toiling in the hot desert Sun to repair air-conditioning units
in the Coachella Valley community.
He was also a great guitar player. I would listen in amazement to Mr.
Osuna play classical guitar alone in his room after a long day at work.
He was always so humble. He would stop playing if he noticed anybody
nearby, so I would quietly listen from Oscar's room in awe of his
talent.
Mr. Osuna married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou, at 24 years
old, and together they raised four children, my second family brothers
and sisters--Elvia, Sergio, Oscar, and Lila--three nephews, and
supported Mr. Osuna's mother. Mr. and Mrs. Osuna's family has grown to
include four grandchildren.
Even in his final days, Mr. Osuna refused to be a burden to his
family as he battled the illness that ultimately took his life.
To the Osuna family, I love you, and your dad's story is engraved in
my heart and now recorded in our Nation's history.
____________________