[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO ERNESTO ``ERNIE'' AZHOCAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to remember a 
hero and leader of our community--Ernesto ``Ernie'' Azhocar, who died 
one year ago on August 18, 1997 at the age of 73. On this first 
anniversary of his death, we remember the many good things that Ernie 
did for our community, and the special ways that he touched each of 
lives.
  Ernie was an important leader in our community, a champion of youth 
and education. he served as a Sweetwater Union High School district 
official for 13 years, as a liaison for Assemblyman Wadie P. Deddeh for 
18 years, chaired the National City Lincoln Acreas Community Action 
Council, and was a charter member and Board Chair for the Metropolitan 
Area Advisory Committee (MAAC). He also served on the National City 
Service Commission and was the Chairman of the National City Youth 
Athletic Association.
  He was recognized in our community as both a leader and a champion of 
causes that are important to us. As a result of his civic activities, 
he was honored with the PTA National Lifetime Award, and was awarded 
``The Key to the City'' by National City. Also because of Ernie's 
extensive work with the MAAC Project, The Sweetwater Union High School 
District Board of Trustees named the administration center at the new 
National City Adult Education Center in his honor.
  Ernie was born in Los Angeles in 1924, and attended local schools 
through high school. He then attended Military Academy in Tijuana, 
Mexico. In 1949, he married Maria Consuelo Aguilera, and then moved to 
National City. Ernie served with the United States Army in Normandy and 
Belgium, and also served in the National Guard and National City Police 
Reserve.
  Ernie lives his life by his personal philosophy that ``charity begins 
at home.'' He was a family man, community leader, and good friend to 
many of us. President and CEO of the MAAC project Roger Cazares said, 
``Mr. Azhocar's professional and volunteer pursuits always promoted 
community service, youth and education.''
  He dedicated his life to helping others and making our community a 
better place to live. His was a wonderful life. Although we have all 
missed him greatly in this one year, we have all had his legacy of 
service, love and community to carry us through, and we always will.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and children and to the 
larger community who was touched by his presence. We all remember and 
miss him.

                          ____________________