[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 6 (Monday, January 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E32]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF MIGUEL C. MIRANDA

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. JUAN VARGAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 11, 2016

  Mr. VARGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Miguel C. Miranda, a 
true leader and servant of the community of Brawley. Mr. Miranda passed 
away on Tuesday, December 29, 2015, in his beloved city of Brawley.
  Miguel was born on August 30, 1957, in Brawley to his parents, Miguel 
and Hipolita Miranda. He attended Miguel Hidalgo School, Barbara Worth 
Junior High School and Brawley Union High School, where he graduated in 
1976. In high school he was in the cadets, and on the football and 
wrestling team. Mr. Miranda attended Imperial Valley College.
  From a young age, Miguel was an active member in the Brawley 
community. He served as an altar boy at St. Margaret Mary Church. 
Later, he would serve as the church's Hospitality Ministry member and 
parishioner.
  Throughout his life, Miguel played many roles within the Brawley 
community. He was actively involved with the Brown Society, Poor Side 
of Town and Latin Cruisers Low Riders Car Clubs. He was an honorary 
member of Hidalgo Society and during his 40 years, he was an active 
member, past president and served in other board roles. Other public 
service memberships included Brawley Parks and Recreation Commissioner, 
Imperial Valley College Affirmative Action Advisory, Pioneers Memorial 
Hospital Intensive Care Foundation Advisory Council, Brawley American 
Citizens Club Member and past political chairman, California Rural 
Legal Assistance board member, Imperial County Manpower Panning 
Council, North-End Optimist Club and Imperial Valley Housing Authority. 
He was a past member and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus 
Council 2130, and a member of the Brawley Elementary School District 
Advisory Committee.
  Miguel was also a coach, supporter, fan, and friend of the Brawley 
Junior Gladiators Wrestling and Brawley Union High School Wrestling 
Programs. He participated in the Los Camperos Camping Group. Miguel 
also served a judge for community contests, such as the Chili Cook-Off 
and the Jalapeno Eating Contest, a contest Miguel won for several years 
in a row.
  Miguel was employed by Friends Outside as a Family Liaison Specialist 
at Calipatria State Prison and was previously employed by the Institute 
for Social Economic Justice, SER Jobs for Progress, Work Training 
Center, Campesinos Unidos Inc., and Brawley Elementary School District. 
In 2001, Miguel was Board President of the Clinicas del Salud del 
Pueblo, and in November 2015, he was voted by his constituents to serve 
as the City of Brawley Treasurer. He had previously served the City of 
Brawley as a Council Member and Mayor pro-tempore.
  Miguel's constant involvement in the community earned him the 
friendly title, ``Amigo de la Comunidad'' (Friend of the Community).
  Miguel was an outstanding individual, husband, father, papa Mike, 
brother, brother-in-law (cunado), son-in-law (yerno), uncle (tio), 
buddy (compa) and friend to many. He was considerate, genuine, devoted, 
and an avid Raiders Booster Club fan. He loved spending time with his 
family. In 1981, he met the love of his life, Estela Robles, and was 
married in April of 1982. He was enormously proud of his family, and 
they of him.
  Miguel will be missed by his family--his wife, Estela; son and 
daughter-in-law, Miguel Jr. and Danitza, son, Alex; daughter, Vanessa; 
future son-in-law, Andres; and his new grandson, Michael Angel--and his 
Brawley community.
  I want to commemorate Miguel Miranda for all lifetime of service to 
his community. His leadership is sure to leave a lasting legacy.

                          ____________________