[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF ESTHER PADILLA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the life of Esther 
Padilla who passed away at the age of 69. Her character exemplified the 
very best of what our nation has to offer--she was honest, generous, 
and possessed a strong work ethic.
  Esther grew up in Fresno, California and was the youngest of 12 
children. She attended Washington Union High School and then went on to 
California State University, Fresno where she earned her undergraduate 
and graduate degrees in social work. As a young woman, Esther knew she 
wanted to help others and serve in her community.
  Esther truly loved social work, and she served at a few different 
organizations. She worked for Fresno County's Department of Social 
Services, Fresno County Head Start, and Centro La Familia. Esther met 
her husband, Gilbert Padilla, while she was at a meeting for Head 
Start. They were married for 43 years and have one daughter, Adele.
  After years of dedicating her life to social work, Esther decided to 
go work with Gilbert at the United Farm Workers (UFW). Her position at 
the UFW allowed her to become heavily involved with politics. Esther 
organized boycotts, negotiated union contracts, and lobbied at our 
Nation's Capital.
  The experiences she had and the knowledge she gained prepared Esther 
to serve on the Fresno City Council. Esther was the first and only 
Hispanic woman to ever be elected to the City Council. During her time 
on the council, Esther was passionate about improving the lives of her 
constituents. Making Fresno a better place was a priority of hers, and 
she played an integral part in getting Highways 180 and 168 built.
  Beyond her service for the community, Esther will also be remembered 
for her advocacy of organ and tissue donation. Seventeen years ago, 
Adele donated a kidney to her mother. Esther understood that importance 
of organ donations because she was able to live almost two more decades 
due to the kindness of her daughter.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the 
House of Representatives to pay tribute to the life and service of 
Esther Padilla. She was a shining example of a true public servant and 
proud American.

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