[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 83 (Monday, June 27, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
HONORING FRANK R. DUARTE IN RECOGNITION FOR HIS OUTSTANDING DEDICATION 
                        TO THE LATINO COMMUNITY

                                 ______


                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 27, 1994

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend a special individual, 
dedicated community leader, and a dear friend, Frank Duarte, a 
gentleman affectionately known as the elder of east Los Angeles.
  Born in 1910, in Chihuahua, Mexico, at a time of intense civic 
turmoil, Frank has lived to tell the history of both his adopted 
country, the United States, and his native Mexico. In 1911, his family 
emigrated to the United States, fleeing the Mexican Revolution. Frank's 
father, working on the railroads, eventually brought his family to Los 
Angeles, where they lived for 9 years before returning to Mexico. An 
event that left a lasting impression on Frank occurred at the tender 
age of 13, when he witnessed the death of Mexican Revolution hero, 
Pancho Villa, on July 20, 1923.
  A year later, the Duarte family again moved to Los Angeles, living 
near Union Station. Having completed his high school education and 
needing to help his mother raise his younger siblings, Frank took odd 
jobs in construction and at a paint factory. During the Great 
Depression, Frank worked at a hosiery plant, where he became a union 
organizer, strongly advocating for his fellow workers. This was the 
beginning of the community leader we know and admire today. A man, who 
for more than 55 years has dedicated his life to the betterment of the 
Latino community as adviser, counselor, peacemaker, networker, 
innovator, and friend.
  As a senior community relations liaison for the Los Angeles County's 
Department of Health Services, Frank has been one of the strongest 
advocates for affirmative action and health services for the Latino 
community. He has been instrumental in helping many individuals secure 
work as custodians, doctors, nurses, and administrators at the Los 
Angeles County-USC Medical Center, the largest public hospital in the 
Nation, and has created many health projects for his community.
  In spite of his many commitments, Frank has given selflessly of his 
time to various commissions, committees and boards, including the Los 
Angeles Police Commission, American Red Cross, AIDS Planning Council, 
and the East Los Angeles Health District. Frank is also a founding 
member of the Los Angeles County Chicano Employees Association, the 
Department of Health Services Latino Managers, the Los Angeles Hispanic 
Managers Association and the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center's 
Hispanic Festivities Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this 
distinguished gentleman, Frank Duarte, and in saluting him for his 
exemplary leadership and outstanding service to the residents of Los 
Angeles County.

                          ____________________