[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E502]]
                  TRIBUTE TO MR. TONY ``FISH'' AGUIRRE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2006

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Tony 
``Fish'' Aguirre, a remarkable and compassionate leader whose legacy 
has touched so many Kansas Citians. Mr. Aguirre entered our world on 
February 8, 1929, and passed on March 19, 2006. His passing is a deep 
loss felt by his family, the Westside community, the greater Kansas 
City area, and most assuredly, the thousands of lives he touched 
through his 50-plus years of service to Kansas City's youth.
  Tony was blessed with natural athletic ability and became a talented 
all-around athlete in his youth, almost being drafted to play 
professional baseball and being offered a college basketball 
scholarship. At the age of 17, his God-given talent led to his calling 
of coaching the boys and girls from his neighborhood, the Westside. 
Tony went on to graduate from Redemptorist High School in 1949 and 
later married his wife, Joan. Tony credited his wife with encouraging 
him to return to athletics at the Guadalupe Center after graduating 
from high school. From that point forward, Tony Aguirre and Guadalupe 
Center athletics would become synonymous and well-known throughout 
Kansas City.
  From the age of 17 until his death, Tony coached kids year-round in 
basketball, baseball, softball, and football for the Guadalupe Center. 
Tony was more than just a coach to the Westside youth; he was a friend, 
mentor, father figure, and counselor to at least three generations of 
ball players. Tony was at the forefront of youth development, before 
youth development became a key program term. His cheers and support 
came hand in hand with the patience and kindness Tony shared with ``his 
kids.'' Tony went that extra mile, whether it was keeping the Sacred 
Heart gym open late for basketball practice, or marking the park fields 
for baseball, softball, or football, Tony did everything possible to 
help ``his kids'' be competitive and proud of themselves. Tony impacted 
the lives of many, and his influence was far reaching, both inside and 
outside the Latino community. Tony will long be remembered for his kind 
smile and words of encouragement he shared with everyone.
  In 1988, the Guadalupe Center established the Tony Aguirre High 
School Scholarship Award to help deserving students from the Hispanic 
community attend private or parochial high school in Mr. Aguirre's 
honor. In 2000, the city of Kansas City, MO, honored Tony's 
contributions by naming the newly constructed Westside Community Center 
after him. Never seeking accolades, Tony received numerous awards 
throughout his life for his service, coaching, and dedication to youth.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our heartfelt sympathy to 
his wife, Joan Aguirre, his children, Sandy, Steve, Arlynne, Kathy and 
Amy, his 19 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, and his many relatives 
and friends. I urge my colleagues to please join me in conveying our 
gratitude to his family for sharing this great man with us, and to 
accept our condolences for their tremendous loss. He was an inspiration 
to us all.

                          ____________________