[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 77 (Monday, May 16, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H2417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE CARDENAS' 24TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

  (Mr. CARDENAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, today is a day that is a very emotional 
day for my family and me.
  Many years ago, there was a beautiful young woman who grew up in 
Pacoima. She was the daughter of immigrants, and I was lucky enough to 
meet her and lucky enough for her to accept a date. Some years later, 
we got married, 24 years ago today, and I just wanted to take an 
opportunity to thank her for having a moment of lapse and accepting 
that date and eventually for us getting married. We have four beautiful 
children that we have raised.
  I don't take it for granted, ladies and gentlemen, that as her 
parents are from Mexico and my parents are from Mexico, from another 
country, we now have been able to provide a better life for our 
children that previous generations could not.
  So I stand before you as a proud American and a very happy man to 
know that I am married to a wonderful woman, born Norma Sanchez and now 
is Norma Cardenas. She is the mother of our children and someone that I 
miss very much.
  So to you, Norma, I am sorry I couldn't be home. I am thousands of 
miles away. But thank you for understanding. I look forward to seeing 
you to celebrate with you soon.

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