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| N. Michael Rucka 1939-2014 |
IN HONOR OF N. MICHAEL RUCKA
HON. SAM FARR
of California
in the House of Representatives
Monday, September 8, 2014
Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor N. Michael Rucka, an
important community leader whose entrepreneurial spirit, tenacity, and
ethical standards enriched the lives of his family, law partners,
friends, and clients. Mike was a dear friend and wonderful mentor. He
was the very essence of life, compassion, generosity, and curiosity.
World affairs and domestic politics were always on Mike's mind and he
was never shy about sharing his thoughts with me. Mike passed away on
July 28, 2014, after struggling with cancer. His passing has left a
huge empty space in those of us who knew and loved him. But what we
will remember the most is the way he enriched so many lives and made
the Monterey Bay Area, and indeed the world, a better place.
Mike was born on October 3, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, Nettie and Arthur, soon moved to Los Angeles and then settled in San Francisco. Mike graduated from Lowell High School before attending the University of California, Berkeley. Following his graduation from UC Berkeley and the University of San Francisco School of Law, Michael relocated to the Monterey Peninsula in the 1970s. There, he worked ambitiously alongside his friends Emmet O'Boyle, Alfred Lombardo, and J. Andrew McKenna to develop the Rucka, O'Boyle, Lombardo, and McKenna Law Firm in Salinas, California.
Mike devoted every day to representing injured parties in matters of workers compensation and Social Security disability. Mike won the Granado Case before the California Supreme Court, thus establishing the rule that temporary disability and medical treatment are not subject to apportionment. Thanks to his work, this rule has benefited all injured workers since..
He also served as the President
of the California Applicant's Attorneys Association from 1975 to 1976.
In 1993, Mike received the Eugene Marias Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mike was uniquely respected both in this community, throughout
California, and by his peers throughout the country. In a small block
of marble in his office is a short handled hoe, presented to Michael in
honor of his instrumental work and help in getting the back-breaking
short handled hoe banned from the agricultural fields of California. He
donated his time, resources and energy to organizations that are
committed to advancing the rights of injured workers and others who
need a voice.
Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in honoring Mike's lifetime of achievement and in extending our heartfelt condolences to his friends, and family members, including his wife Corry, daughter Brandy, sons Greg and Nick, and his grandchildren.
[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 127 (Monday, September 8, 2014)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1343] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
