[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 83 (Thursday, May 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


PIO PICO ELEMENTARY LIBRARY TO BE NAMED IN HONOR OF MARIA TONIA AGUIRRE

                                 ______


                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 1995
  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, this Saturday, May 20, 1995, the El Rancho 
Unified School District will name the library at Pio Pico Elementary 
after Maria Tonia Aguirre in acknowledgement and recognition of her 
exemplary contributions and tireless service to the residents of Pico 
Rivera.
  Following her death last October, board president Raul Salcido 
suggested the school board name the library in honor of her legacy. A 
bronze bust of Maria will be permanently placed in front of the school
  Mr. Speaker, on November 13, 1991, I asked my colleagues to join me 
in recognition of Maria's contributions to the El Rancho Unified School 
District Board of Education as she retired after 12 years of service. 
First elected to the board in 1979, and reelected in 1983 and 1987, 
Maria served with distinction. Maria was a near 50 year resident of the 
city of Pico Rivera. She served on the district bilingual advisory 
council, migrant education advisory council, the hall of fame 
committee, and the Whittier Area Trustee Association executive board, 
to name a few.
  In addition, she worked persistently to implement education reforms 
which increased graduation requirements and established high levels of 
student academic performance standards. Throughout her years of 
service, she was a vocal proponent in initiating, promoting, and 
implementing bilingual-bicultural education in the El Rancho Unified 
School District.
  Marie Aguirre's leadership abilities and efforts to improve education 
for the youth of Pico Rivera brought her noteworthy praise from civic 
leaders, education and business communities, and her colleagues on the 
board of education.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in saluting Maria Aguirre as we honor and remember her on 
Saturday, May 20, 1995.


                          ____________________