Reverend Richard Estrada, Associate Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels at 535 N. Main Street near Olvera Street in Downtown, Los Angeles, offered the opening prayer in U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 19. The first Latino to deliver the opening prayer for the 110th Congress, Father Estrada’s opening prayer to Congress coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month.
In his prayer, Father Estrada called on lawmakers to draw strength from their diversity and to make laws that protect all of God’s children. “Inspire our nation’s leaders to seek justice, defend liberty and unite diverse cultures and languages,” Father Estrada said. “Lord, remove the arrogance and hatred that infects our hearts. Break down the walls that separate us. Unite us in bonds of love. In time all people with serve you in harmony.”
“As one of my constituents in the 34th Congressional District, Father Estrada has been an uplifting and positive force throughout the community,” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) said. “Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with Father Estrada in support of Jovenes, Inc., the non-profit organization he founded to assist at-risk youth in the community. I thank him for traveling to our nation’s capital to share with my colleagues and me his inspiring prayer and views on important issues facing our communities.”
“It is an honor and privilege to welcome such a gifted and compassionate individual to the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Congresswoman Hilda Solis (CA-32), who invited Father Estrada to give the prayer after working with him on issues impacting the Latino community. “Fr. Estrada is truly a fine man and he did a wonderful job in delivering our opening prayer.”
Following the prayer, Father Estrada – a nationally recognized advocate for the disadvantaged - met with Members of Congress, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to discuss current issues facing his community and nation, including homelessness, immigration reform and the war in Iraq.
Fr. Estrada is a Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Claretian Missionary Order since 1973. He has spent over 30 years of youth advocacy and program management experience working with high risk youth in Los Angeles. He is Founder and Executive Director of Jovenes, Inc., a non-profit organization that serves homeless and at-risk immigrant and other disadvantaged youth. Founded in 1989, the group serves youth in Boyle Heights, Pico-Union/Westlake, Echo Park, South Central, East Los Angeles, Long Beach and Hollywood. Each year, Jovenes, Inc. provides hundreds of youth with transitional housing and shelter, as well as counseling, life-skills training, employment preparation, and opportunities to continue their education and advance in life. Jovenes, Inc. serves about 1,000 youth during the course of the entire year, with a population of 50 being served at any one time.
Fr. Estrada received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of San Francisco and studied theological and pastoral studies at the Graduate School of Theology in Berkeley, California, the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the Fred C. Neiles School in Whittier, California.
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