[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 163 (Thursday, October 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING MASTER SERGEANT ADOLFO ``POPO'' GONZALEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Master Sergeant 
Adolfo ``Popo'' Gonzalez, on his retirement from the Texas Army 
National Guard, where he served his state and country honorably for the 
past 39 years.
  Mr. Gonzalez was born to Aurelia Lopez Gonzalez and the late Eusebio 
Bustos Gonzalez in June 17, 1949, in Laredo, Texas. He started working 
at the family restaurant when he was 12 years old, and then ran a paper 
route for the Laredo Morning Times. Mr. Gonzalez graduated from J.W. 
Nixon High School in 1967, and then received his associate degree from 
Laredo Community College. He joined the Texas National Army National 
Guard on May 25, 1968, which began the start of his 39 years service in 
the National Guard. Mr. Gonzalez received his B.S. in Education with a 
major in English and Spanish from Texas A&M International University.
  Mr. Gonzalez is intensely involved in the community as a member of 
several local and non-profit organizations such as President of LULAC 
#690, Laredo Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce, Laredo Frontier 
Days, Webb County Community Action Agency, and the Laredo Veterans 
Coalition. He also is a member of the Laredo Airport Advisory Board, 
the Webb County Water Committee, Laredo Evening Lions Club, Santa 
Isabel Creek Feasibility Study, Non-Commission Officers Club of the 
Texas Army National Guard, Texas State Teachers Association, and the 
National Guard Association of Texas.
  In addition to his civic involvement with the community, Mr. Gonzalez 
works as a teacher at United High School, where he has taught oral 
communications to ESL learners for the past 22 years. When he is not 
teaching students or working with community organizations, Mr. Gonzalez 
helps his fellow veterans out as the Laredo Area chair for Employer 
Support of the Guard and Reserves, which works with local employers to 
safeguard the rights of guardsmen and reservists. He was named the 
Outstanding Volunteer for the State of Texas in recognition of his work 
with ESGR.
  Mr. Gonzalez is a proud father to six children: Adolfo, Jr., Albert, 
Richard, Annette Marie, Alejandro Jose, and Yvette Magally. He has been 
married to his wife, Juana Maria Lopez, for the past 25 years.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the 
dedication and commitment of Master Sergeant Adolfo ``Popo'' Gonzalez 
to the City of Laredo in the State of Texas.

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