[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 113 (Thursday, July 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1345-E1346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE GRAND MARSHALS FOR DELANO'S 38TH ANNUAL PHILIPPINE 
                                WEEKEND

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2012

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Grand Marshals 
for Delano's 38th Annual Philippine Weekend. This event takes place in 
my district each year to honor and celebrate the Filipino culture. This 
year's honorees are Juanita Quiocho Villaruz, Suzanne Villaruz, and 
Arleen Villaruz-Gonzales, and they were selected for their dedication 
to service in their community. They are terrific examples of strong 
women that exhibit leadership, selflessness, and perseverance.
  Juanita immigrated to the United States in 1958 from Rancho, Santa, 
Ilocos Sur, Philippines. She married Louie V. Villaruz, and had three 
children--Suzanne, Arleen, and Lounito. While supporting their young 
family, Juanita and Louie were active in the United Farm Workers of 
America's efforts to change conditions and wages for farm laborers. In 
1970, Juanita found herself having to support three children on her own 
due to Louie's sudden death. She received training and worked as a 
psychiatric technician at Porterville State Hospital. Juanita retired 
from the State of California in 1995.
  As a member of many different organizations, Juanita has stayed 
extremely active in the Filipino community. She was a charter member of 
the Filipino-American (Fil-Am) Cultural and Educational Association and 
served as president in 1976-77. She is also a member of the Filipino 
Catholic Association, Legionarios del Trabajo, the Filipino Community 
of Delano, and the Sons of Santa, of which she is a past president.
  Juanita has always had a sense of service and participation in her 
community which she has undoubtedly passed down to her children.
  Suzanne Villaruz was born in Delano and graduated from Delano High 
School in 1977.

[[Page E1346]]

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from California 
State University, Bakersfield. As a registered and credentialed nurse, 
she has been working at McFarland Unified School District for over 20 
years. In 2011, she was honored as Certified Employee of the Year.
  In 1995, Suzanne initiated the Delano's Junior Miss program. Today, 
that program is called the Distinguished Young Women of Delano. Outside 
of Junior Miss, Suzanne finds joy in volunteering. She has served as an 
alternate on the Cecil Avenue Junior High School Site Council and 
chaired the School Site Council at Delano High School.Suzanne gladly 
served several years on the Board of Directors for Joshua Tree Council 
for Girl Scouts and Junior League of Bakersfield. Since 2001, she has 
been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Delano and has twice served as 
president.
  Suzanne lives a very busy life working and dedicating her time to 
service, but family is also extremely important. Her most cherished 
roles are that of mother to Nicole Ailina Villaruz and partner to 
Arnold Morrison.
  Arleen Villaruz-Gonzales, born just eleven months after her sister, 
is a 1978 graduate of Delano High School. She graduated from California 
State University, Bakersfield with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal 
Studies. She married Anthony Gonzales in 1981, and they have two 
beautiful children, Aaron and Aubree.
  Arleen has taught in the Delano Union School District at Fremont, Del 
Vista, and Princeton Schools. At Princeton, she was the first to ever 
receive the Teacher of the Year award, and in 1994 was named to the 
Hall of Fame as an Outstanding Teacher from Paramount Farms.
  Just like her mother and sister, Arleen is very active in her 
community. She was a parent liaison for Delano High School's Theater 
Percussion Ensemble, United Spirit Association camp counselor, AYSO 
Commissioner, and a troop leader for Girl Scouts. Following in her 
mother's footsteps, Arleen is a past president of the Fil-Am Cultural 
and Educational Association.
  Suzanne and Arleen have served many organizations in tandem, but 
Philippine Weekend has always been at their hearts. In 1976, Suzanne 
was crowned the first Miss Philippine Weekend queen, and then had the 
distinct pleasure of crowning Arleen the following year.
  Two decades after being crowned, Suzanne was part of a reorganization 
of Philippine Weekend, when they returned to encouraging the youth of 
Delano to participate and take leadership positions in the 
organization. This proudly continues today. Suzanne and Arleen are very 
proud and supportive of the young people they have worked with who have 
become successful in their professional and volunteer lives. Philippine 
Weekend is now a successful nonprofit organization.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2012 
Philippine Weekend Grand Marshals--Juanita Quiocho Villaruz, Suzanne 
Villaruz, and Arleen Villaruz-Gonzales--for their outstanding 
contributions to the community of Delano and the San Joaquin Valley.

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