[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       BLANCA SANDOVAL, A DEVOTED MOTHER AND EXEMPLARY INDIVIDUAL

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 22, 1996

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a very distinguished 
and outstanding individual from my district. Blanca Sandoval has been a 
devoted mother and someone who has inspired many of her fellow 
community members. In recognition of her gracious work and outstanding 
accomplishments, Mrs. Sandoval will have her 90th birthday celebration 
at Las Palmas Restaurant in west New York.
  Mrs. Sandoval was born on March 20, 1906, in Trinidad, Cuba. She grew 
up in the province of Las Villas and was living in Havana before 
arriving in this country. She married a decorated naval lieutenant, 
Laudelino Gronnig, and had three children. Asnaldo, Miriana, and Blancy 
were raised during a difficult period in Cuban history. The family 
constantly dealt with the harassment and intimidation of a brutal 
dictatorship.
  In search of liberty and freedom, Mrs. Sandoval and her husband 
sought to emigrate from the island of Cuba so they could be reunited 
with their children. Unfortunately, Mr. Gronnig never got to see his 
children in the United States because he was repeatedly denied 
departure. He died in Cuba before he could be reunited.
  Miriana and Blancy arrived in the United States in 1971, and their 
brother subsequently joined them. It was 11 years later that Mrs. 
Sandoval was reunited with her family. She quickly learned to love her 
adopted homeland and is now looking forward to becoming a citizen. She 
is well respected by her friends and neighbors and is known to them as 
Mima.
  Blanca Sandoval is adored by her children, grandchildren, and great-
grandchildren. I am proud to have such a loving and caring individual 
residing in my district.

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