[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING MARIA OSUNA VALDEZ FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE 
                               COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Maria Osuna Valdez 
for her life long commitment to being a role model citizen and 
exemplary woman.
  Maria was born on March 6, 1914, in San Ignacio, Sinaloa, Mexico. She 
was the fourth of five children to Eufemio Osuna and Magdalena Escobosa 
de Osuna. After her parents death, Maria, then 16 years of age, went to 
live with her sister, Magdalena.
  While living in the mining town of El Tambor, Mexico, Maria met and 
married Miguel Arrellano Valdez. In 1946, after having worked in the 
silver mines for many years, Miguel, an American citizen, moved back to 
the United States. Miguel went ahead to begin working and Maria stayed 
with their children before moving to Tijuana, Mexico, to begin 
preparing for their journey to the United States. In 1957, after much 
work and sacrifice, the Valdez family moved into their home in 
Montebello, California. Maria, with the help of the older children 
managed the family while Miguel worked in Los Angeles.
  Maria was a homemaker who took care of their eight children. She 
supervised their activities while Miguel often worked double shifts. 
Their children were their pride and inspiration. They instilled in them 
the American Dream, strong religious beliefs and family values. All 
eight of their children graduated from institutions of higher learning 
and were exemplary citizens. After Miguel's death in 1987, Maria 
continued to guide and encourage their children and grandchildren and 
to instill in them the high expectations of the Valdez family.
  Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, May 3, 1998, Maria passed away after a long 
illness at her home in Montebello, California. A 45 year resident of 
Montebello, Maria was devoted to her Catholic faith, her husband, her 
children and grandchildren. She is survived by her children Beatrice, 
Rudolph, Gloria, Ofelia, Michael, William, Robert, George; her brother 
Oscar; and 22 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Maria left her 
family a legacy of undying love, a devotion to her faith and a deep 
sense of family values. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
Maria Osuna Valdez for being an outstanding resident of Montebello, 
California.

                          ____________________