[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 88 (Friday, June 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF LADISLAO ``TANNY'' BACA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 12, 2009

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask Congress to pay special 
tribute to the life of a loving husband and grandfather, my brother, 
Ladislao ``Tanny'' Baca, of Barstow, CA. Tanny passed away June 6, 
2009, at the age of 69 after complications with a brave life-long 
battle with diabetes.
  Born in Las Nuetras, New Mexico January 8, 1940, Tanny made an 
impressionable impact on all he came in contact with. Tanny was widely 
admired by family, friends and colleagues. He was hard-working, 
dedicated, committed, disciplined, loving, supporting. Even though his 
bark was worse than his bite, he was a kind and loving brother, 
husband, father and grandfather.
  For 16 years he worked as a Switch Man and Local Engineer for the 
Santa Fe Railroad in Barstow, CA. He worked and retired after 19 years 
as a Local Engineer at the Marine Base in Yermo, CA. Tanny also 
honorably served 16 years with the National Guard.
  He is remembered by most as a generous man who always had time to 
share with others. His giving spirit will be missed by his community. 
He loved his brothers and sisters especially Florenio, Morris, Raymond, 
Lupe and Theresa. He enjoyed spending time loving us all. He was 
everything you would want in a brother, son, husband, and grandfather. 
Tanny enjoyed spending time in his garage. He and his brothers, 
Florenio and Morris would love to hang out and just enjoy their time 
there. Tanny also spent time in his garage helping teenagers, seniors 
and others with limited resources work on their cars. He was less 
worried about being paid and always happy to help those in need. He was 
that kind of man. Even though he was Lupe Napier's little brother, he 
would help take care of her. He was always willing to give her a hand 
with her car, and moving whatever she needed, he was always there to 
help her.
  On behalf of my brother I would like to share a message from him to 
his children, Toby, Nick, and Liz. ``Even though we were separated, in 
my heart I never stopped loving and caring for you.'' To all his 
children, he loved you all very much.
  I would also like to share a few memories from his wife and several 
of his children.

       The thing I remember most is when we went to Las Vegas to 
     get married and the judge said, ``Do you take this man 
     Ladislao Baca as your husband?'' and I said, ``What?'' 
     because I only knew him as Tanny. Later we all laughed about 
     it because we thought it was funny and the judge thought that 
     she wants to marry this man and she does not even know his 
     name. Edwina Baca, Wife.
       Dad no matter what, you were always there for us, through 
     good and bad times, we always will respect and love you, and 
     you will be in our hearts forever. Liz Pullen, Toby and Nick 
     Connolly, Daughter and Sons.
       My dad was a caring and loving man. He never let anyone be 
     without what they needed and his garage was always open for 
     anyone. He and his friends would sit out there for hours 
     talking. He will surely be missed. Angel Baca, Daughter.
       Dad, you are the best and you will always be in my heart. 
     You were always there for me. You touched many lives. I will 
     always remember when you were by my side when I really needed 
     you. Eloisa Madero, Daughter.
       Memories I have of my dad growing up are going to work with 
     him everyday as a child and riding the trains with him. 
     Another good memory was all the bar-be-que we had and how he 
     always had enough food to feed all the family and the whole 
     neighborhood and still had plenty of leftovers. Lisa Baca, 
     Daughter.
       The things I remember most about my dad is when he took me 
     hunting and he lost me and he did not want me to tell my mom 
     because then I would never be able to go with Dad again. I 
     also remember the time I dug a hole on the side of the house 
     and filled it with water and was playing in the mud. Oh man, 
     did I ever get in trouble. Tim Baca, Son.
       I remember most about my dad is when my mom went out of 
     town and dad tried to cook us spaghetti and he just threw 
     everything in a pot all together and said it was just like 
     our mom's and it tasted nothing like how mom made it. Penny 
     Gray, Daughter.
  He will be remembered by his grandchildren as someone who was always 
able to bring a smile to their face and share a lot of love and time 
with them.
  He was an active outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting various 
game; including deer, antelope, and bear. When he wasn't enjoying the 
great outdoors he could be found enjoying Spanish music and dining at 
his favorite restaurant, ``Del Taco''.
  He also loved to get his family together through his cooking. 
Barbequing was his way of having family reunions to enjoy barbequed cow 
and pig. He enjoyed bringing us together; he was always about family.
  Tanny was a devoted Catholic and attended St. Joseph's Catholic 
Church in Barstow with his wife Edwina.
  From Las Nuetras, New Mexico to Barstow, California, Tanny's life was 
dedicated to family, friends, and his community. His memory lives on in 
our thoughts and prayers. We say ``goodbye. God bless you, we love you, 
and we will miss you''.
  Tanny is survived by his wife, Edwina Baca; his children, Angel Baca, 
Eloisa Madero, Penny Gray, Tim Baca, Lisa Baca, Nick Connolly, Toby 
Connolly, and Liz Pullen; brothers and sisters, Florenio Baca, Lupe 
Napier, Morris Baca, Raymond Baca, Joe Baca and Theresa Perea; his 
grandchildren and by a large extended family who share in the loss.
  The thoughts and prayers of my wife Barbara and children, Councilman 
Joe Baca, Jr., Jeremy, Natalie and Jennifer and I are with the family 
at this time.

                          ____________________