[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 106 (Monday, July 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF ARMANDO AND BETTY RODRIGUEZ

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2010

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Armando an 
Betty Rodriguez of Fresno, California, as they celebrate their 60th 
Wedding Anniversary.
  Over the course of their journey of the past 60 years, Armando and 
Betty have demonstrated a loving devotion and enduring partnership that 
continues to make their marriage a true inspiration for others.
  Armando and Betty Rodriguez were both born and raised in Fresno, 
California, and were traditional high school sweethearts, having eyes 
only for each other. They attended Edison High School and graduated in 
1947. Three short years later, they were married and in 1952, Armando 
joined the United States Air Force, serving our Great Country for four 
years, including a tour of duty in Korea, where he served as a Morse 
Code operator.
  After being discharged, Armando and Betty resided in Fresno, while he 
completed his studies at Fresno State. Always true partners, when 
Armando decided to pursue his Juris Doctorate degree, Betty supported 
both of them by working in a number of part-time jobs. Armando became 
an attorney and, in 1972, went on to become the first Hispanic elected 
to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. With Betty's unwavering 
support, Armando helped open the judicial doors for many other Latinos 
when he was appointed by then Governor Jerry Brown as a Fresno County 
Superior Court Judge in 1975. Armando would go on to serve in his 
judicial capacity for twenty years.
  Armando Rodriguez is known to be proud of the many ``firsts'' in his 
life--his first marriage in its 60th year; first lawyer to work for the 
California Rural Legal Assistance; first in his family to graduate from 
college; and one of the first to be elected as an adviser with el 
Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior during Mexico President 
Vicente Fox's administration.
  Betty Rodriguez has been equally active in their beloved Fresno 
community by helping to found the League of Mexican American Women, and 
participating in the Ladies Aid to Retarded Citizens, the League of 
Women Voters, the Mexican-American Political Association, Friends of 
the Library, and countless other organizations. Despite her seemingly 
endless commitments to the community, Betty has also been and remains, 
a devoted caretaker of the Rodriguez home throughout their 60 years of 
marriage.
  Armando and Betty have become known as local Latino icons and 
continue to have a tremendous impact on their families, friends and 
fellow community members. Furthermore, each has been a recipient of La 
Medalla Ohtli, the highest recognition that the Mexican government 
bestows on non-Mexican citizens and both were honored for their work 
with the Mexican Consulate, with Fresno's Sister City Torreon and with 
youth from Mexico.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating 
Armando and Betty Rodriguez on celebrating their 60th year of marriage, 
and expressing our hope that they are blessed with many more joyous 
years together.

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