[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JOE ORTIZ CARDONA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 14, 2001

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to salute Joe Ortiz Cardona, of 
California. Joe has been recognized by Adelante, California Migrant 
Leadership Council and American Legion Merle Reed Post 124 as an 
outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to the 
improvement of education opportunities for Latino children in 
California.
  A highly-respected community leader in Earlimart for more than 33 
years, a Barber by trade, Joe Cardona has spent most of his life 
helping others. He is active in improving the conditions of the people 
of Earlimart, in such areas as flood control, schools, health care, 
food and clothing acquisition and distribution, and support for 
families in need.
  Joe was born in 1933 in Somerton, Arizona. His family migrated to 
Earlimart in 1940, where Joe enrolled in first grade at Earlimart 
Elementary School. Following the seasonal crops, Joe's family moved to 
Brawley where he graduated from eighth grade in 1948.
  Joe enlisted in the Army in the late 1950's serving two years. In 
1957, Joe studied and obtained his apprenticeship for Barbering from 
Moler Barber College, Fresno, California. In 1959, Joe married Cruz 
Amaya Cardona and raised four children, Larry, Joe Jr., Frankie and 
Vicky. In 1974, Joe was determined to receive a high school diploma. He 
enrolled in Adult Education at Delano Joint Union High School. Along 
with the forty-seven area citizens, he was one of the proud graduates 
of the commencement exercises in June 2, 1975.
  Joe Cardona is a man of integrity, dependability and dedication. In 
1967, understanding the poverty and hardships of some of the community 
members of Earlimart, he had an idea to have members of the community 
contribute to a fund, which could be used to assist families on the 
occasion of bereavement. With this idea the Earlimart Funeral Fund 
Association was formed and to-date Joe is still an active member of 
this organization, and besides the monetary support, you probably will 
see Joe attending the funerals and expressing his sympathy to the 
bereaved families.
  Serving his country was one of Joe's proudest moments, and because of 
his active membership, he has received recognition for participation in 
the American Legion Post. Joe has proudly served in the position of 
president and commander of the American Legion Post. Representing the 
American legion Post 745, Joe helps raise funds for scholarship to 
annually honor a deserving Earlimart Junior High School student.
  Joe helped coordinate the first Food Link Program for the community 
of Earlimart in 1995, dedicating countless hours gathering volunteers, 
and through his example, others have continued to take on this 
responsibility. This program continues to serve the needy families of 
this community. During the flood of 1997, Joe helped form a Flood 
Control Committee, gathering local active members, as well as invoking 
assistance from political representatives to help disaster stricken 
families, and was also involved in the issue of the White River Dam. 
Joe recruits volunteers to assist with the annual clean-up day 
activities in the community. One of Joe's biggest accomplishments is 
the annual Christmas ``Give Away'' to the needy families of the 
Earlimart community.
  Joe has received recognition by the California State Assembly and 
California State Senate for outstanding leadership and community 
services. Joe speaks very softly, and with his congenial and humble 
character, never boasts of his accomplishments. If you know Joe 
personally, you are aware of the relentless hours he has served on 
various committees expressing concerns. Although the town of Earlimart 
is not incorporated, the majority of the community will still refer to 
Joe as the ``Town Mayor'' and through his dedication and commitment he 
has made the difference!




                          ____________________