[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 197 (Thursday, November 30, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H5988-H5989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING TOLUCA LAKE'S CENTENNIAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Cardenas) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate the centennial 
of a beautiful neighborhood that has contributed to the rich culture of 
the San Fernando Valley, Toluca Lake.
  Prior to the first Europeans' arrival, the Tongva people were the 
first inhabitants of Toluca Lake. They established their homes on the 
banks of the Los Angeles River there.
  In 1889, General Charles Forman purchased the territory on which 
modern-day Toluca Lake lies and, by 1893, applied for the first post 
office and named the town Toluca Ranch, which he claimed was a Paiute 
Indian word for beautiful and fertile valley.
  Just like the rest of the San Fernando Valley at the time, Toluca 
Lake was lined with crops of satsuma plums, cling peaches, Moorpark 
apricots, and much more.
  The lake in Toluca Ranch, which has starred in many movies, was very 
attractive for movie producers, which in turn resulted in the movie 
industry beginning to develop there. In 1915, Carl Laemmle built 
Universal Studios in the area, after which several other studios, like 
Warner Bros. Studios and others, started flooding into the community.
  After the general's death in 1919, the ranch was sold to a group of 
investors, who tried to build a bedroom community around the studios 
and named the area Toluca Lake Park. By 1923, another group of 
investors purchased the property and built a housing community, which 
is now called Toluca Lake.
  Toluca Lake has been home to many famous American artists and 
celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra, Bob

[[Page H5989]]

Hope, Bing Crosby, Bette Davis, Steve Carell, Andy Garcia, Melissa 
McCarthy, Amelia Earhart, and many more. President Ronald Reagan and 
his wife, Nancy Reagan, even had their wedding reception in Toluca 
Lake.
  Today, Toluca Lake is a key community of the entertainment industry, 
where working families can pursue the American Dream and tell stories 
to the world. Toluca Lake is a place of work for many below-line 
workers, such as hairdressers, painters, carpenters, and caterers.
  One person I would like to acknowledge was an immigrant. He came from 
Jalisco, Mexico, and worked at Toluca Lake's famous diner, Patys, for 
over 10 years. His name is Santos Padilla, the father of our U.S. 
Senator Alex Padilla.
  Like Santos, thousands of people can provide for their families there 
in Toluca Lake, and some even make it their home. Many of these 
hardworking people are a part of organizations such as Toluca Lake 
Homeowners Association, Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce, Toluca Lake 
Garden Club, Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council, Toluca Lake 
Beautification Partners, and even a magazine called Toluca Lake 
Magazine.
  They have volunteered thousands of hours for the community. They have 
organized countless community cleanups, holiday parades, and farmers 
markets. Each organization is committed to addressing the diverse needs 
of residents, property owners, businesses, and local stakeholders.
  With its rich culture and diverse constituents, Toluca Lake continues 
to be an extraordinary part of the San Fernando Valley. There are many 
communities named Toluca--in Mexico, Montana, Illinois, and North 
Carolina--but there is only one Toluca Lake.
  Congratulations to Toluca Lake on its 100-year anniversary.


                 Remembering Manuel ``Manny'' Figueras

  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Manuel ``Manny'' Figueras, 
an amazing public servant who spent his entire life improving the lives 
of many people from the city of Los Angeles and the San Fernando 
Valley.
  Manny was born on New Year's Eve in 1961 in Banes, Cuba. Just like 
many Cuban families, the Figuerases left Cuba in 1968 to pursue their 
dream of liberty and freedom here in the United States. The Figuerases 
immigrated first to Miami, Florida, and then came to Los Angeles, 
California.
  Manny attended Roosevelt Middle School and Hoover High School in 
Glendale and finished his education at Glendale College with a degree 
in business administration.
  Manny began his career in public service working for Councilmember 
Richard Alarcon. I saw Manny's love for and commitment to his 
constituents firsthand. As a field deputy, he was the first person a 
constituent saw when they were trying to solve a difficult issue in 
their community.
  Manny had a special talent for helping mom-and-pop businesses. His 
ability to listen compassionately and then develop a plan to cut 
through the red tape of government made a difference in the lives of 
many businessowners and families.
  Even after Manny moved on from his life of service in the Los Angeles 
City Council, constituents had his personal phone numbers and would 
always call him, and he was always there to help. In his trademark calm 
and caring manner, Manny would advocate for constituents in communities 
in North Hollywood, Mission Hills, Sylmar, and beyond.

  We lost Manny on October 11, 2023. He was surrounded by family and 
friends. Manny is survived by his mother, Ana Figueras; his brother, 
Juan Figueras; his sister-in-law, Dora Figueras; his nephew, Andrew 
Figueras; his niece, Ariana LaBorico; and his nephew-in-law, Dylan 
LaBorico.
  We miss Manny very much.

                          ____________________