[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO YOLANDA URBY URRABAZO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2016

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of one 
of Laredo's finest teachers, Yolanda Urby Urrabazo.
  Mrs. Urrabazo was born on February 12, 1947 to Juan and Carolina Urby 
in Del Rio, Texas. She was considered a miracle baby due to being born 
ten years after her nine siblings. Although her first language was 
Spanish, she quickly learned English and excelled in her studies. She 
had straight A's throughout her grade school education and graduated in 
the top five percent of her class from Del Rio High School in 1965. She 
was one of the few Hispanics in the National Honor Society all four 
years and participated in many extracurricular activities. She received 
her bachelor's degree in Spanish Literature and a minor in English from 
Texas Woman's University and then a Master's degree in Spanish 
Literature from The University of Texas-El Paso in 1977. Many of her 
loved ones knew that her favorite novel was Don Quixote de la Mancha by 
Cervantes and she could quote Shakespeare eloquently and effortlessly.
  Her enthusiasm for literature and poetry was most evident to everyone 
she met. This eventually led her to a passionate and fulfilling 
teaching career of 32 years, recently retiring from United High School 
in June 2016. Yolanda's devotion to her students is shown by her long 
and passionate career in teaching where she prided herself in teaching 
in every decade since the 1960s. For decades, she dedicated her life to 
educating generations of students, including her own seven children. 
She also inspired two of her daughters, Elizabeth U. Velasquez and 
Veronica Urrabazo, to follow in her footsteps and become educators 
themselves. This commitment to education is an inspiration, and serves 
as reminder for how important educators are to our community. Her 
dedication to serving others will not be forgotten and will serve as a 
testament to what we should all strive for.
  Mrs. Urrabazo is survived by her beloved husband Ignacio Urrabazo and 
their seven children (Tom, Elizabeth, Jaime, Yolanda, Veronica, 
Alejandra, and Claudia) and six grandchildren, as well as her five 
siblings. Her legacy will live on in the countless people she helped 
shape--she was intelligent, humble, strong, and compassionate to all. 
The mentoring and guidance that she provided will be shown throughout 
the community she touched. I have personally seen her impact through 
the great work her daughters, Yolanda Urrabazo and Claudia Urrabazo, 
provided when they worked in my Congressional office. It was clear 
through their hard work and ability that their mother had taught them 
very well.
  She serves as reminder for how much one person can do to affect so 
many lives. Not only her family, but students, teachers, community 
members, and both the young and old, mourn her passing. Her legacy will 
live on through her good deeds and through our cherished memories. The 
city of Laredo will miss her and cherish the kindness and inspiration 
that she brought to our community and our education system.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to remember the 
legacy of Yolanda Urby Urrabazo.

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