[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TRIBUTE TO LAURA RODRIGUEZ

                                 ______


                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 1994

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, today I rise to honor and 
remember a great friend and fighter, Laura Rodriguez, known to many in 
San Diego as the ``Grandmother of the Barrio.''
  Laura was not the type of a woman to sit back and let the world go 
by; she took action to make her community better.
  Laura was no stranger to adversity. An orphan at age 12 and a high 
school dropout at age 16, she never let circumstances stop her from 
achieving her dreams. She married, raised a family and became a 
catalyst in the founding of the Logan Heights Family Health Center and 
Chicano Park. She made a real difference in the lives of many in the 
Hispanic community in San Diego, and served as a role model for all of 
us who know that one citizen can make a difference.
  Mrs. Rodriguez stopped at nothing to ensure that the voices and needs 
of the Hispanic community were heard in San Diego. In the 1970's, she 
sat in front of a bulldozer and led demonstrations when construction 
crews were taking over property that was supposed to be a park. It was 
her willingness to fight that helped make that site into what it is 
today--Chicano Park, a place for the community to showcase art and to 
celebrate their community.
  Later, she worked to found the Logan Heights Family Health Center, 
which today has a pediatric clinic that was recently named after her in 
honor of her many accomplishments. She did this by organizing a group 
of citizens to takeover a building that had been converted from 
community services to offices, restoring it to what eventually became a 
community health center that now serves nearly 100,000 people each 
year.
  But her contributions were also known throughout the State of 
California and the entire Nation. In 1991, President Bush named her one 
of the ``thousand points of light.'' In 1987, the California 
Legislature named her ``Woman of the Year.'' But these awards paled in 
comparison to the overwhelming love and admiration of her friends, 
neighbors, and all who knew her.
  My community has lost not only a great friend, but a faithful fighter 
in the ongoing struggle to improve the quality of life for ourselves 
and our children. It is now up to us to continue her work and her 
``never say quit'' attitude. With resolve and community involvement, 
Laura showed us that a dream can become reality.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. I also know 
that the rest of the community--many of whom looked to Laura for 
guidance and inspiration--share my grief at the loss of this amazing 
lady.

                          ____________________