[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E21-E22]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO THE TOWN OF GUADALUPE, ARIZONA ON THE 31ST ANNIVERSARY OF 
                           ITS INCORPORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to 
the Town of Guadalupe, Arizona, a community in my district which I 
proudly represent, on the occasion of the 31st Anniversary of its 
incorporation. Named after the patron saint of Mexico, the Virgin of 
Guadalupe, this culturally-rich community is home to about 5,500 
residents.
  Guadalupe was founded by Yaqui Indians around the turn of the century 
when they fled their traditional homeland along the Yaqui River in 
Sonora, Mexico to avoid persecution and enslavement by the Mexican 
government under Porfirio Diaz. When the Yaqui people fled as refugees, 
many were able to find a home in the Salt River Valley's agricultural 
economy. One of the villages was in south Tempe, just north of the 
present Guadalupe site. A missionary Franciscan Friar, Lucius Zittier, 
petitioned President Woodrow Wilson for 40 acres of land so the Yaqui 
could permanently settle. The site, undesirable as uncultivable, is 
located in the center of the present community, known as ``La 
Cuarenta,'' or ``The 40,'' as some still call it today.
  Guadalupe also became home to many Hispanic families over the years, 
and it has become a stopping point for Mexican immigrant workers. As 
the community has grown, it has demonstrated its resilience in the face 
of difficult economic times, poverty, and racism.
  Many young men of Mexican and Yaqui descent answered the call for 
military service and defended our country. Dozens of Guadalupe 
veterans' names are on the rolls of those who served, and many paid the 
ultimate sacrifice.
  In the early 1960s, Guadalupe Organization, Inc., was formed and it 
began to identify and address the community's needs. Many services 
taken for granted in other communities were not provided in Guadalupe 
and residents began to get organized. A new voting precinct in 
Guadalupe was formed, and U.S. Sen. Carl Hayden was instrumental in 
securing home mail delivery for residents. As the Guadalupe 
Organization advocated for community betterment and educated residents 
about civil awareness, many small victories were achieved for the 
community. The organization prevented a freeway from being built 
through the center of Guadalupe, opened a dental clinic with volunteer 
dentists, fought discrimination against Guadalupe students, and most 
notably, led the charge for incorporation.
  Neighboring cities had mostly rebuffed Guadalupe and its residents 
until property values soared. To stop annexation attempts and preserve 
their community's rich culture, the Guadalupe Organization began 
incorporation efforts and the Citizens Committee to Incorporate 
Guadalupe was formed. It was led by Mr. Andres ``Andy'' Jimenez, who 
served as president of the group. Election results of Feb. 4, 1975, 
which showed an 83 percent voter turnout, approved the plan of 
incorporation, and the Town of Guadalupe was born.
  Since then, the Town of Guadalupe has been a leader in demonstrating 
concern for its residents and passing progressive policies. The Town 
Council was the first in Arizona to ban smoking in public places. It 
declared a paid Cesar Chavez Holiday for Guadalupe town employees. The 
town has also donated land for construction of educational and 
recreational entities.
  Maricopa County Community Colleges also have established a branch of 
South Mountain Community College in Guadalupe with its rental fee 
subsidized for many years by the Guadalupe Organization. Guadalupe had 
one college graduate in 1960 and one in 1967. Now graduates at all 
levels, from high school to Ph.D., call Guadalupe their home.
  As you can see, Guadalupe is a community rich with the traditions of 
three cultures, deeply devoted to the welfare of its residents, and the 
prosperity of its community. As the former director of the Guadalupe 
Organization, I feel a special bond to this community and take great 
pride in its progress. This bond is felt by many, as children follow in 
their parents' footsteps, opting to make a home in Guadalupe as they 
begin to make a life of their own. Ironically, the current Mayor of 
Guadalupe is Ms. Bernadette Jimenez, daughter of Andy Jimenez, who led 
the Citizens Committee to Incorporate Guadalupe.
  In honor of the success of this community and its residents, I ask my 
colleagues to

[[Page E22]]

please stand and join me today in paying tribute to the Town of 
Guadalupe, Arizona, on the occasion of the 31st Anniversary of its 
Incorporation.

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