[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 4 (Friday, January 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E60]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF MR. AND MRS. ENCARNACION 
                             AREVALO GUERRA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 9, 2009

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today in recognition of 
the 50th Wedding Anniversary for Encarnacion `Carny' Arevalo Guerra and 
Emma Flores Guerra. The lives of these individuals have been uniquely 
American, and this Golden Anniversary of theirs is a special moment for 
not only them, but for their family and friends.
  Encarnacion Arevalo Arevalo was born May 15th, 1940 in McGregor, 
Michigan to Sacarias Bonilla Guerra and Ines Arevalo. Emma Flores 
Guerra was born December 13th, 1940 in San Antonio, TX to Alfredo 
Saucedo Flores and Ofelia Cavazos Flores. From San Antonio, Emma's 
family moved to Saginaw, Michigan that she met Encarnacion. Both 
fathers of the honored couple worked at General Motors during the 
1940's, a crucial period when manufactures were devoting all effort to 
preparing the military with proper equipment.
  Music played an important role in both of their lives. As children 
they loved music and would attend weekly dances in Saginaw, Michigan as 
young adults. This later would inspire them to start a business. When 
both were in junior high, attending Central Junior High in Saginaw, 
Encarnacion played the saxophone, and Emma the French horn. This is 
where they met and began their relationship. Not all went as planned 
however as Emma's family was forced to move back to San Antonio. This 
would not stop their relationship however. The young couple stayed in 
touch by writing letters to each other at every chance they had.
  It was January 10, 1959 that the two married in a large ceremony at 
St. Joseph's Catholic Church. After marriage, Encarnacion supported his 
growing family with his continued employment at General Motors in 
Saginaw for 10 years. It was during this time that the two welcomed 5 
daughters into their family: Cynthia, Sylvia, Judith Ines, Belinda, and 
Elaine.
  After leaving GM, the family moved to Laredo, Texas. It was here the 
couple purchased and converted the Bowl-A-Rama into what we now know as 
the ``Casa Blanca Ballroom''. The Ballroom has become a landmark and 
has held a prominent place in the lives for Laredoans for almost 40 
years now.
  From here the couple went on to purchase their first radio station in 
Nuevo Laredo and name it ``Radio Canon''. This proved to a wise 
investment, and the Guerra's later purchased share holdings in seven 
more radio stations. After a short try at retirement, the two returned 
to the business and acquired three new radio stations: Z-93, Energy 98, 
and K-Onda. In 1995, the couple moved to San Antonio, but remain active 
in the communities. Today, when Encarnacion is not tinkering in his 
garden, the two are fulfilling their dream of traveling the world. The 
Guerras are a vibrant example of living the American dream.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating them on the 50th Wedding 
Anniversary not just as local icons in Texas, but model citizens of the 
United States of America. They are true stewards of the American dream, 
and I celebrate them and thank them for their contributions to the 
Great State of Texas.

                          ____________________