Born:
January 4, 1953
Cruz
M. Bustamante was born in Dinuba, California, the first of six children.
He grew up in San Joaquin and lived near both sets of grandparents
who had come to the United States from Chihuahua and Zacatecas, Mexico.
Cruz learned the meaning of hard work and the value of serving other
people from his parents.
Cruz
worked hard in school and in the fields of San Joaquin. After high
school he went to Fresno City College to learn how to be a butcher.
His career as a butcher was short, as he entered politics at the young
age of 19 when he worked as an intern for a Congressman. After Cruz
finished his internship, he returned to California and transfered
into Fresno State University to study public administration.
Over
the years Cruz has held many public offices. Bustamante became the
first Latino to be elected to a statewide office in California since
1878. Learn more about Cruz at the following websites: