[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E26-E27]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THERESA MARCELLA (PALOMARES) FUENTES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 21, 2004

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Theresa Marcella 
(Palomares) Fuentes, affectionately known to all as Teddy. She was born 
on January 16, 1924 in Los Angeles to Robert F. & Bessie (Duarte) 
Palomares. A fifth generation native Californian, Theresa is a direct 
descendent of Don Ygnacio Palomares, original Spanish land grantee of 
the historic Rancho San Jose located furthest from San Gabriel Mission 
and encompassing the area that today includes Pomona, San Dimas, La 
Verne and adjacent areas.

[[Page E27]]

  Teddy was educated in Los Angeles Catholic parochial schools, 
including St. Mary's Grammar School at 4th & Chicago in Boyle Heights, 
and later graduated from Catholic Girls High School. Immediately 
following graduation Theresa enlisted in the United States Navy Women's 
Auxiliary (WAVE's) Corps during the height of World War II, and was 
stationed in Washington, DC performing clerical duties for the Navy 
Department.
  Upon her Honorable Discharge from the Navy following the war, Theresa 
married her childhood sweetheart Robert H. ``Bob'' Fuentes, also a Los 
Angeles native. Together they had 10 children, Christina Marie, Roberta 
Theresa (married to James F. Buescher), Charles Patrick (married to 
Linda L. Unruh), Andrea Elizabeth (married to Robert C. Kunkel), 
Cecelia Catherine, Robert Henry III (married to Cynthia Vetter), Mary 
Carole (deceased), Christopher Francis, Joseph Aloysius (married to Amy 
D. Boothe), and Caroline Bernadette ``Buffy'' (deceased), and made 
their home in Norwalk and later Cerritos.
  A devoted homemaker and helpmate, Teddy immersed herself in the 
education and development of her children, amply demonstrating her 
talents as an accomplished artist and painter, expert seamstress, 
first-rate cook, as well as noted hostess in furtherance of her husband 
Bob's political career. After the untimely death of Bob Fuentes at age 
50, Teddy took up the mantle of family matriarch and entered the 
workforce as a Sales Representative for Coca-Cola Bottling Company, 
retiring in 1991 after 14 highly successful years.
  Teddy Fuentes has made many outstanding contributions to church, 
civic and community endeavors, including service as Grand Regent of the 
Santa Teresita Court of the Catholic Daughters of America, and active 
memberships in the American Business Women's Association, Native 
Daughters of the Golden West, Past Grand Knights Association of the 
Knights of Columbus Council 3678, Gadabouts Senior Club, and Cerritos 
Senior Citizens.
  A world traveler par excellence, Teddy has traveled throughout the 
Americas, Europe, and the Middle East including several trips to Israel 
where she was baptized in the Jordan River, and Egypt where she rode 
camels at the pyramids and Sphinx.
  Theresa Marcella Palomares Fuentes celebrated her 80th birthday on 
January 16, 2004 together with her large family and numerous friends 
including her six grandchildren Jennifer Marie Hood, Holly Alana Hood, 
Ryan Anthony Kunkel, Lauren Elizabeth Kunkel, Laurel Frances Fuentes 
and Robert Henry Fuentes, IV. I take great pleasure in noting the 
wonderful life and achievements of Theresa Marcella Palomares Fuentes, 
extend sincere best wishes on the happy occasion of her 80th birthday 
and wish her continued happiness and good health.

                          ____________________