[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE PASSING OF DIONICIO MORALES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 27, 2008

  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a Latino 
civil rights leader and the founder of the Mexican American Opportunity 
Foundation, MAOF, Dionicio Morales, who passed away on September 24, 
2008.
  Dionicio was born to immigrant farm worker parents and was raised in 
Ventura County, California. Like many Mexican Americans of his 
generation, Dionicio struggled to achieve an education and he graduated 
from high school in 1937. Dionicio attended Santa Barbara State College 
and worked with the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union early to ensure 
garment workers had better working conditions.
  Dionicio was a life-long community organizer who devoted his life to 
providing critical programs and resources to the Mexican-American 
community. He was a strong advocate and dedicated leader for the people 
of Los Angeles.
  In 1963, Dionicio became the founder and president of the Mexican-
American Opportunity Foundation, which provides the Mexican-American 
community with critical access to services and programs. These services 
include increased access to job skill training programs, repair 
programs for low-income homes, nutrition and employment aid for 
seniors, and many other critical programs that have dramatically 
improved the lives of many Mexican Americans in Los Angeles County and 
the surrounding areas. Dionicio later spent most of his life serving on 
several Federal, State, and county boards that gave him a voice which 
he used to advocate for the important issues that faced the Mexican-
American community.
  Throughout my career in public service, I have had the pleasure to 
work with Dionicio and MAOF to increase economic and social justice in 
the Latino community. I am proud to have received the prestigious Aztec 
Award from MAOF in October 1996 and am committed to continuing this 
work to bring greater equality and opportunity to the Latino community.
  Dionicio will be remembered for his lifetime commitment to the 
Mexican-American community. I extend my sympathy to Dionicio's family 
in this difficult time. Dionicio's legacy will continue to live in 
MAOF. He will be dearly missed by the Latino community.

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