[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 18 (Monday, February 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E83]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF JOE TERRONEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHERI BUSTOS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 1, 2021

  Mrs. BUSTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Joe 
Terronez the first Mexican-American Mayor in the State of Illinois and 
long-time Silvis City Council Member.
  Joe was born February 15, 1929 in a boxcar in the Silvis yards, the 
son of Benito and Felisa Anguiano Terronez. He married Rebecca Herrera 
on November 6, 1948, and together they had 8 children. As a devout 
Catholic and lifelong member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Joe was 
always a strong member of the community. Joe attended Silvis public 
schools and proudly graduated from United Township High School in 1947. 
He was employed by International Harvester Company in East Moline as a 
repairman and retired in 1984 after 33 years. Throughout his lifetime 
he was a member of several religious, labor, political, and civic 
organizations and was most proud to work with veterans. He was an 
Honorary member of the Mexican American Veterans Association (MAVA) and 
Hero Street Memorial Committee. He was also a proud union member and 
loyal to the Democratic Party. His love of family, faith, and community 
were most important through his life. He served the City of Silvis and 
his community for 30 years--26 years as First Ward Alderman and four 
years as Mayor. Joe was honored to be the first elected Hispanic Mayor 
in the State of Illinois. He worked tirelessly in the renaming of 2nd 
Street in Silvis, Illinois to ``Hero Street, USA'' and establishing 
``Hero Street Memorial Park'', a living memorial to the eight Mexican 
Americans from Hero Street and all the heroes from Silvis. I thank him 
for his life of service to his community and honor his legacy.
  It is because of leaders such as Joe Terronez that I am especially 
proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I 
would like to again formally recognize and honor the life of former 
Silvis Mayor, Joe Terronez.

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