[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 81 (Thursday, May 12, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4866-H4867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF MIGUEL GONZALEZ

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Cardenas) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Miguel 
Gonzalez, a charismatic and innovative entrepreneur from the San 
Fernando Valley who was recently taken from us in a fatal car accident.
  Miguel was one of the founders and owners of Vallarta Supermarkets, a 
chain of family-owned grocery stores committed to offering the best-
quality products from Mexico and Latin America.
  Originally from Jalostotitlan, Jalisco, Mexico, he immigrated to the 
San Fernando Valley with his family and graduated from Van Nuys High 
School.
  As a young man, Miguel had an eye for buildings and design. He 
pursued his passion in architecture after receiving an associate's 
degree in arts. This led him to begin a career at Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory in Pasadena, California, as a quality assurance technician 
who worked on parts for the Space Shuttle program.
  In 1985, his brother, Enrique, Sr., started the family business when 
he opened Carniceria Vallarta in a 1,000-square-foot market in Van 
Nuys, California. Enrique, Sr. soon expanded the business to a second 
location and got his four brothers to join, including Miguel. They 
focused on selling traditional cuts of popular Mexican meats. The 
brothers would put in 18-hour days, 7 days a week to make sure the 
business succeeded.
  Miguel brought his passion for design and helped develop the 
significant architecture and interior design of the Vallarta stores. He 
created the trademark Vallarta aesthetic with the focus of modern and 
nostalgic references to his hometown in Jalisco.
  Anyone in our community can recognize the iconic design when they are 
driving around the neighborhood. When they go in they forget they are 
in California, and they are taken directly back to Mexico. That is what 
Miguel did, he made a simple shopping experience feel like home.
  He was always pushing the envelope to make sure every store completed 
its mission to serve our community with respect and pride, while 
providing authentic, traditional, fresh products that bring families 
together over a meal.
  One of his last projects was Sayulita Tap Room established in October 
of 2020 in Indio, California. This project epitomized his vision of 
spending quality time with loved ones, excellent food and drinks, and 
live music.
  When he pitched this idea to his family, they all had doubts and 
concerns. They asked, ``A bar at a grocery store?'' Miguel said, ``If 
Whole Foods can do it, so can I.'' This project represented Miguel's 
vision and entrepreneurial spirit to make his dreams a reality.
  Miguel wasn't just a shining example of the American Dream, he 
inspired countless others to ``work hard and play harder,'' which was 
his motto. He left a legacy of 52 stores throughout southern and 
central California, all which provide jobs to more than 8,000 
hardworking people.
  Miguel had a deep passion and love for the employees and families of 
Vallarta Supermarkets. He was heavily involved in the Gonzalez Family 
Foundation, which offers scholarships to its employees and their 
children.
  The foundation has given thousands of dollars to help their families 
pursue higher education.

                              {time}  1030

  On top of that, he was a supporter and donor to the St. Jude 
Children's Center. For this and so much more, I know that his legacy 
will continue to inspire Latinos and countless others in our community 
and across the country. I know that his designs will be seen and 
appreciated by more and more people every day.
  Miguel leaves behind his high school sweetheart and wife, Maria 
Teresa; his two sons, Christian and Luis Angel; his granddaughter, Aria 
Soleil; his mother, Eva; his father, Felix; his brothers; sisters; 
cousins; aunts; uncles; and many of us who are his dear friends.
  Many of Miguel's family made the trip to Washington, D.C., to watch 
him be honored in this body.
  I have had the honor of knowing Miguel and his family, admiring his 
wonderful work and his work ethic.
  Miguel came to the United States not speaking English. Miguel's first 
language was Spanish. So with that, I honor him and all those who come 
to this country and give so much to the United States of America.
  (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows:)
  To Miguel's family, thank you very much for giving so much of Miguel 
to the community.
  I would also like to thank Miguel for being such a good man, husband, 
father, son, friend.
  It is very important for everyone to know that, in the United States 
of America, we are all equal.

[[Page H4867]]

  Miguel achieved many of his dreams and the dreams of thousands and 
thousands of families, not only those who work at Vallarta but also the 
people and community they serve.
  A la familia de Miguel, muchisimas gracias por dar tanto de el a la 
comunidad. Tambien quero gradecer a Miguel por ser tan buen hombre, 
esposo, padre, hijo, amigo. Es muy importante que todos sepan que, en 
los Estados Unidos todo somos iguales. Miguel en el creo muchos suenos, 
y vivio eso suenos y tambien miles y miles de suenos a familias no de 
mas los que trabajaban en Vallarta pero tambien las personas que ellos 
serven.
  So today I honor the life of my dear friend Miguel Gonzalez.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California will provide a 
translation of his remarks.

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