[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 59 (Thursday, April 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. MARGARITA MUNNOZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SAANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2014

  Ms. LINDA T. SAANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate a life-long resident of my district on her upcoming 
centennial birthday. On April 11, 2014, Mrs. Margarita Munnoz will 
celebrate 100 years of life.
   Born in 1914, Margarita is the middle sibling to two older brothers 
and two younger sisters. When she was a young girl, Margarita's family 
moved from Arizona to California in search of a better life and settled 
in downtown East Los Angeles. Margarita attended the local elementary 
and middle school with her brothers and sisters. She graduated from 
Lincoln High School in 1932 where she met her sweetheart, Augustine 
Munnoz.
   Margarita and Augustine married in 1935 and gave birth to their 
first son, Charles, in 1936. The young family was blessed with the 
birth of their second son, Robert, in 1937, daughter Dorothy in 1943, 
William and John in 1944 and 1950, and daughter Carol in 1955. In 1955, 
Margarita and Augustine moved their growing family from East Los 
Angeles to the city of Montebello. The children attended Eastmont 
Elementary and Montebello Junior High and Montebello High School. For 
Margarita and Augustine Munnoz, Montebello proved an ideal place to 
raise a family.
   In 1964, Margarita's husband passed away from a sudden heart attack 
and was left to raise their children on her own. During this difficult 
time, Margarita demonstrated tremendous work ethic and resiliency; 
despite tremendous adversity, she succeeded in providing for her 
children and giving them a home in which to flourish.
   Margarita's life revolved around her children. She dedicated herself 
to giving them the best upbringing possible and made sure to instill in 
them strong values. With her support and guidance, all of Margarita's 
children went on to be successful members of their community; among 
many impressive achievements, two of her children earned their masters 
degrees.
   Today, Margarita still lives in the same Montebello home where she 
and her family settled in 1955. She enjoys knitting, crocheting, 
gardening, and of course seeing her family, which has grown quite a bit 
since 1935. At family celebrations and holidays she has the joy of 
spending time with her 18 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren 
and great, great grandchildren.
   Mr. Speaker, Margarita Munnoz represents the best in our community. 
Margarita exemplifies the true meaning of family, and her community is 
grateful to have such a role model of commitment and dedication. I 
respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me 
in wishing Margarita a very happy 100th birthday.

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