Rep. Zoe Lofgren Pays Tribute to the Life of Cindy Avitia

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) released the following statement today paying tribute to life of Cindy Avitia, a former Congressional assistant in her San Jose, Calif., office who was killed in a car accident on August 22, 2013. Avitia, an immigration attorney and advocate for justice, most recently served on the board of directors for Alpha Public Schools:

"It is with profound sadness that I and my office learned the news of the passing of our former colleague and friend Cindy Avitia. All of us who knew and worked with Cindy are shocked and devastated by her passing.

"Cindy was uncommonly bright, dedicated and caring. I valued her dedication to family, community and justice. During the four years Cindy served on my San Jose staff I learned to admire not only her intelligence and education but her tremendous commitment to community. My prayers are with her husband, Jose, her two beautiful young children, her parents, and all Cindy's family, friends and colleagues who are mourning her loss.

"As we grieve her tragic loss, we can take pride in the fact that during her short life Cindy did more to promote strong, caring families in our community and advance the cause of justice than many people accomplish in a lifetime dedicated to public service. I am rocked by the tragic news of her passing and feel her loss acutely. I will never forget her."

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