[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO EDWARD C. VALDEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Edward C. 
Valdez for his commitment and dedication to the Hispanic community. 
Edward Valdez is a prominent attorney and was awarded the 1997 Latin 
American Businessman of the Year. His accomplishments with the Hispanic 
community are noteworthy and warrant recognition.
  Born in Castroville, California, Valdez spent much of his childhood 
in the fields picking fruit and vegetables. Valdez did very well in 
school, but had the notion that college and higher education was for 
non-Hispanics. He grew up in a community where people worked in the 
fields all of their lives and no one ever went to college. This 
discouragement caused him to join the Army instead of continuing on 
with school.
  In the service, Valdez began to meet college graduates and realize 
that he could also go to college. In 1964, Valdez finished his military 
obligation and enrolled in junior college. His college studies and 
determination paid off in the late 1960s when AAA Insurance hired him 
as a claims adjuster. The company soon promoted Valdez to a job in 
Fresno, where he continued his education at California State 
University, Fresno. In 1969, he began law school and worked as a 
paralegal by day and studied by night.
  After graduation, Valdez and several other lawyers formed a 
partnership that became well known for work with the under-served 
Valley populations and Hispanic leaders. When his partners left the 
firm to become judges, Valdez built his firm into a solo practice. He 
continued his motivation by providing help with several community 
service projects. Valdez supports the Central California Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce and the positive effects it has on business in the 
Valley.
  Valdez credits much of his success as a result of his education. I 
praise his emphasis in the importance of higher education. He 
encourages lifting Valley farm-labor populations into enterprises that 
bring jobs and money through higher education.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I pay tribute to Edward C. 
Valdez for his accomplishments and dedication to the Hispanic 
community. His passion for the legal profession and his encouragement 
for Hispanic youth is both refreshing and inspirational. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in wishing Edward Valdez many more years of 
success.

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