[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF CONNIE SKIPWORTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2005

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
the life of an extraordinary American, Connie Skipworth, who died on 
March 17, 2005, at the age of eighty-four.
  Connie was a joy to know. Lively, humorous, and filled with the 
spirit of life, she dedicated much of her time to making everyone feel 
like part of the family. Connie was born on February 18, 1921 in San 
Bernardino, California.
  By the late 1930s, Connie was married to Skip Skipworth and returned 
to California, spending those first years working as a riveter for 
McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach during World War II.
  Connie has spent much of her years participating in the life of the 
community. Connie and her sister, Irene, opened their first restaurant 
in 1945, The Old Mexico Cafe in Long Beach. Seven years later, Connie 
opened the Zarape Cafe in Las Vegas, later returning to The Old Mexico 
Cafe a year later, where she worked as a manager, saving up enough 
money to build The Azteca in Garden Grove in 1957.
  Connie was very devoted to her family, and encouraged them to reach 
for greatness and to realize their potential. The Azteca was a success, 
and the business brought in money to the family, and joy to the 
community. She was a great woman making everyone feel comfortable by 
flashing a quick smile, and by greeting everyone by their first names.
  Mr. Speaker, Connie Skipworth dedicated herself to making our town a 
wonderful community to live in. Connie is more than worthy of receiving 
our recognition today, and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring 
the life of this truly remarkable person.

                          ____________________