[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 136 (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO MRS. MARGARET FUENTES GONZALEZ ZEPEDA OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2011

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing Margaret Fuentes Gonzalez Zepeda on the occasion of her 
96th birthday and tribute at the Guadalupe Community Center in San 
Antonio, Texas.
  Born in 1915 Margaret ``Margarita'' Gonzalez was the daughter of 
Simon Gonzalez and Maria Fuentes Gonzalez. Margaret and her family grew 
up in San Antonio, and in April 1931, she married Manuel Zepeda, a 
union that would last 44 years, produce three girls and one boy.
  Margaret worked for the San Antonio Housing Authority for over 20 
years and rose to the position of Assistant Manager. Additionally, 
Margaret was extremely active in the community, and she used sports as 
a method to mentor San Antonio youth. Through sports Margaret developed 
a strong sense of discipline that she took to the Guadalupe Community 
Center and to the City of San Antonio as a recreation leader.
  After retirement Margaret accelerated her own participation in 
sports, and in the late 1980s began her journey into the Senior 
Olympics. Since 1990 Margaret has participated in Senior Olympics in a 
variety of sports including: bowling; walking; horse shoes; softball 
and football for accuracy and distance; and each year has qualified for 
the National Games. At the age of 96, Margaret has won over 100 gold 
and silver medals. She has been to the National Games in Baton Rouge, 
Louisiana (twice); San Antonio, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; Orlando, 
Florida and has brought home the Gold or Silver (Tucson) every time.
  Margaret Zepeda has a ``never give up'' spirit that impacted the self 
worth of each child she mentored. She instilled in them pride and 
discipline, and an understanding that love and command of sports was 
the great equalizer. For her half century of community work and 
leadership to the children of San Antonio, I join in celebrating the 
tribute hosted at the Guadalupe Community Center by the cadre of 
successful women who began their lives under the tutorage of Margaret 
Fuentes Gonzalez Zepeda.

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