[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 88 (Monday, July 10, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ELVIRA ``VERA'' DURAZO

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                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 10, 2006

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Elvira ``Vera'' M. 
Durazo of EI Monte, California, a dedicated and compassionate woman 
known as the ``Grandmother'' of Mexican cuisine in the greater EI Monte 
area, who passed away on June 24, 2006.
  Vera opened the first Mexican food restaurant and tortilla factory in 
EI Monte known as ``Durazo's'', bringing a taste of Mexico to the San 
Gabriel Valley. After many successful years at Durazo's, Vera turned 
her focus to contributing to the community as a volunteer. For more 
than three decades, Vera assisted the sight impaired and homebound 
elderly. She also organized the Convalescent Patient Project, which now 
gives more than 150 patients birthday and Christmas gifts in the EI 
Monte area per year, and volunteered at health fairs and clinics, the 
monthly mini-mart at the Hack Crippen Senior Center, and Meals on 
Wheels.
  Vera was particularly committed to the elderly in the local Latino 
community and founded the Club Hispano Americano. Club Hispano 
Americano is the largest Hispanic philanthropic organization for the 
elderly in the San Gabriel Valley.
  Vera is survived by one son Edward Durazo, two daughters Rebecca 
Ramirez and Evelyn Prudhomme, eight grandchildren, thirteen great-
grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren. She will be dearly 
missed by her family, friends, and the community.

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