[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 83 (Monday, May 21, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H5476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              EVA R. BACA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. McGovern). Pursuant to the order of the 
House of January 4, 2007, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Salazar) is 
recognized during morning-hour debate for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, this morning as we stand here in our 
Nation's Capitol, family and friends in Colorado are gathered together 
to celebrate the life of a truly great American, a wonderful human 
being. The child of Mexican immigrants, Eva Baca was born on January 1, 
1929 in Pueblo, Colorado. She graduated from Pueblo Central High School 
and attended Colorado State College. Ms. Baca, as a member of the first 
graduating class in 1965. As a widowed mother of two, she balanced 
motherhood and her studies while attending Adams State College, 
receiving her master's in education in 1968.
  Upon graduation, Ms. Baca taught at Lakeview and Hellbeck Elementary 
Schools. She went on to get her principal's certificate, and in 1972 
she took her first administrative position at the new Eastwood Heights 
Elementary School. There she instituted new reading programs for 
children from low-income families.
  Eva Baca was a strong advocate for the community in which she lived 
and worked to provide opportunities and increased accessibility to 
Pueblo's isolated, east side neighborhood. In 1983, Eva Baca was named 
director of Title I programs for Pueblo School District No. 60, a 
position she held for a decade until her retirement. Eva Baca has been 
recognized throughout Colorado and across the country with various 
honors and awards. Everyone who had the privilege of knowing her has a 
wonderful story to tell.
  Most recently, she received the lifetime achievement award by the 
Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding educational 
leadership and contributions to the lives of countless children in her 
community.
  On Thursday, Eva Baca passed away in Pueblo. She was a loving mother 
to Joyce and Robert Anderson, and Gilbert Baca; a cherished grandmother 
to Karl, Megan, Lindsey and Nick. She was a fearless educator and dear 
friend.
  In 1993, Eastwood Heights Elementary School, the school that she gave 
so many years of her life, was renamed in her honor. Today, 250 
children attend Eva R. Baca Elementary School, a living tribute to a 
woman who spent her life focused on those around her.
  John Lubbock wrote, ``The important thing is not so much that every 
child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to 
learn.''
  For the countless children that Eva Baca has given the wish to learn, 
we thank her.

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