[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 51 (Friday, March 22, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         HONORING GIL CORONADO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 22, 2024

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of Retired 
U.S. Air Force Colonel Gil Coronado.
  Born in Corpus Christi and raised in the barrios of San Antonio, Col. 
Coronado is a shining example of the American Dream. Overcoming a 
childhood marked by adversity, Col. Coronado has gone on to spend the 
entirety of his adult life dedicated to both public service and the 
advancement of Hispanic cultural appreciation.
  Orphaned at the age of five, and a self-described ``product of the 
streets,'' Col. Coronado decided to alter the direction of his life by 
enlisting in the U.S. Air Force at the age of 16. Col. Coronado served 
in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and completed tours of duty in 
Spain, Germany, and Panama. For his service, he was awarded a Legion of 
Merit, a Bronze Star Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, a 
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint 
Service Commendation Medal, and a Distinguished Presidential Unit 
Citation.
  In 1985, Col. Coronado was assigned to the Inter-American Defense 
Board. It was there that Col. Coronado came to work closely with 
members of Congress to push for the expansion of efforts to honor the 
unique contributions of Hispanics to American history. In 1988, Col. 
Coronado's efforts came to fruition when this chamber invited him onto 
the floor to watch the bill that created Hispanic Heritage Month, which 
he helped create, pass unanimously. Later that year, President Reagan 
invited Col. Coronado to the White House Rose Garden as he signed the 
bill into law, taking time to recognize Col. Coronado as ``a stout 
defender of Hispanic Heritage and the United States of America.''
  Col. Coronado went on to continue blazing trails for Hispanic 
Americans when he was appointed as the first Hispanic director of the 
Selective Service System in 1994. Under his tenure, he pushed for a 100 
percent compliance rate and worked to educate the public on the 
importance and benefits of registering for the Selective Service. He 
retired as Director of the Selective Service System in 2001 and 
returned to San Antonio, where he resides to this day.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the honorable achievements 
of Col. Gil Coronado. San Antonio is proud to be home to the 
``padrino'' of Hispanic Heritage Month. May God bless him and his 
family for all their years to come.

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