[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 174 (Thursday, November 10, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1119-E1120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING CECILIA ``MAMA CHILA'' DELGADO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 10, 2022

  Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the exemplary 
life of Cecilia ``Mama Chila'' Delgado, who celebrated her 100th 
birthday on November 16, 2022. Born in the small town of Cueramaro, 
Guanajuato, Mexico, Cecilia Delgado has lived 100 years with honor, 
integrity, respect and grace, while still residing in her own home in 
Anaheim, California.
  The oldest of seven siblings, her parents, Pedro and Josefa Delgado, 
an immigrant farmer-working couple who were seeking a better life for 
their family, brought Cecilia to the United States when she was age 2 
months. As a young girl, she entered public school and finished at 
Orange High School. Cecilia embraced her education by doing well in 
school, playing sports, and learning how to play the violin, guitar and 
mandolin. She still loves and continues to play her mandolin.
  During the Great Depression, her family returned to Mexico to live. 
As an 18-year-old teen, Cecilia found a new life in a new country. She 
married Pablo Bravo and had five children. Unfortunately, her husband 
perished in a tragic work-related accident that left her as a 32-year-
old widow.
  With five young children, ranging in age from 1- to 10-years-old, 
Cecilia made a difficult decision to return to Orange County, 
California, where she had grown up and where she knew she could find 
employment to provide for her family. Being bilingual and biliterate, 
and extremely hard working, she immediately landed a job as a stitcher 
at Van's, a tennis shoe factory in Anaheim. She supplemented her income 
cleaning houses. By working two jobs, she provided her children 
economic stability, coupled with love and comfort, for the duration of 
their lives.

[[Page E1120]]

  Mama Chila's success at achieving the American Dream has created a 
legacy for her 5 children, 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 
and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Her greatest joy is her family, and 
she beams with pride and joy as she sees them living accomplished, 
productive lives, with nearly every child within the third generation 
graduating college or on their way to receiving bachelor's and master's 
degrees.
  A caring, polite, smart, well-dressed, and classy lady, Mama Chila 
continually says that she may not remember what she had for dinner, but 
that ``nothing hurts,'' for which she is grateful.
  This centurion woman is remarkable, and her family hopes she will 
live to be a 103-years-old like her padre, for whom she cared for, as 
well as her mother, until their eternal rest.
  Madam Speaker, it is my great privilege to honor this humble, hard-
working woman. It is women and madres like Cecilia ``Mama Chila'' 
Delgado who help make our country great by serving as role models to 
their children and community. She and her multi-generational family are 
a shining example of how immigrants seeking the American Dream have 
made our nation stronger.

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