[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 142 (Thursday, September 12, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5219-H5225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING ANDRES AND MARIA, THE CARDENAS FAMILY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 9, 2023, the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardenas) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, as we near the start of Hispanic Heritage 
Month 2024, I rise today in honor of my family, who arrived in the 
United States over 70 years ago.
  I rise to speak of the Cardenas family's journey and accomplishments 
and our impact on the diaspora of the Latino experience and history of 
the United States.
  The presence of Latinos in the Americas is vast and has shaped the 
continent we know today for centuries. Even before colonists arrived, 
our ancestors, the Mayans, the Incas, the Olmecs, and the Aztecs, had 
already built great empires and civilizations that provided immense 
contributions to the world.
  Today, we have come to define and represent the diverse Latino 
communities, with over 65 million spread across the country, and 
represent nearly 20 percent of the overall U.S. population. It is 
fitting to document our

[[Page H5220]]

history and generational stories and preserve them in our Congressional 
Record.
  Much of our history is recounted through the stories of our parents, 
our aunts, our uncles, and our ``grandmothers,'' ``abuelitas,'' and 
``grandfathers,'' ``abuelitos.''
  These stories passed on from one generation to another often allow us 
the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and the difficult 
decisions of those who came before us.
  We stand on their shoulders, benefiting from the hard work, tough 
decisions, and unwavering determination that paved the way for us. 
Today, new generations are initiating their own American-Latino stories 
and are embedding them in our country's history.
  Today's Latino stories are being written by the new immigrants coming 
to this country, having overcome obstacles and incredible journeys.
  As a proud son of Mexican immigrants, I know firsthand that when 
immigrants come to this country they work hard and contribute in 
countless ways to our great Nation.
  Today, I stand before my colleagues to share the story of my family, 
the story of Andres and Maria Cardenas, who were both raised and 
married in Temastian, Jalisco, Mexico. They came to this country, 
settled in California, and raised 11 American-born citizens. Their 
journey is a prime example of what people can achieve when given the 
opportunity to succeed.

  My family reflects the United States of America's story. What my 
parents were able to accomplish is typical of many immigrant families. 
What my siblings and I were able to accomplish is confirmation and 
proof of what immigrants in this country have to offer to everyone and 
the benefits that are profound to everyone in our country.
  With the long history of racism toward Latinos and xenophobia toward 
immigrants, the story of my family is a story that needs to be told.
  Mr. Speaker, my family's story in the United States of America began 
in the 1920s, when my maternal grandfather, Ciriaco Pablo Gonzalez 
Quezada--yes, that is one person--migrated from Mexico to work for the 
railroad company in New Mexico. During his initial stay, Ciriaco lived 
in freight cars and moved anywhere work was available.
  Like many immigrants, my grandfather just wanted the opportunity to 
work, provide for his family, and be a responsible, contributing member 
of the community.
  In 1924, my grandmother, Clara Miramontes Quezada and her baby, 
Marcelo, came to California to join my grandfather, Ciriaco, who was 
working as an agricultural and construction worker at that time.
  My mother, Maria Encarnacion ``Chonita'' Quezada, was born on March 
25, 1928, in Avalon, Catalina Island, California. My mother was the 
third oldest child of Ciriaco and Clara, and she was one of nine 
siblings.
  An American citizen by birthright, she spent the first 3 years of her 
life on the quaint island, as my grandfather, Ciriaco, who had earned a 
reputation of being a hard worker, was employed for 3 years by the 
famous industrialist and chewing gum magnate, William Wrigley Jr., to 
work in the construction of Catalina Island's now iconic casino.
  However, good fortunes turned, and my family experienced one of the 
darkest times in our country's history. As our country faced the 
hardships of the Great Depression, hostility turned against Mexican 
Americans and Mexican immigrants, who were blamed for the lack of 
employment opportunities and were given an ultimatum to leave the 
country voluntarily or endure a forceful deportation.
  Between 1929 and 1939, the U.S. Government launched the Mexican 
Repatriation Program, the largest deportation effort of any people in 
our country's history, where an estimated 2 million people were forced 
out, of which 40 to 60 percent of whom were United States citizens. A 
majority were children.
  Among them were my mother, Maria Encarnacion, and her sister, my 
aunt, Natalia, who were born here in the United States.
  However, in 1931, my grandfather took into consideration the changing 
turn of events and decided, rather than put his wife and children 
through that humiliating and life-threatening ordeal, he chose to 
return to Mexico.
  My father, Andres Soria, the son of Anastacio Cardenas and Natalia 
Soria, was born on April 18, 1925, in Temastian, Jalisco, Mexico. 
Andres Cardenas was the oldest of seven brothers and sisters.
  Both my parents had a humble early life in Temastian. Not having 
access to resources like traditional schooling, they both loosely 
received the equivalent of a third-grade education, yet their personal 
values and education would be shaped by humble beliefs in their mutual 
Catholic faith.
  My father developed his strong work ethic by working in his early 
years as a farmworker in the fields of Jalisco and Nayarit, Mexico. No 
matter how punishing or difficult the work was, he always did things 
without complaint.
  My parents eventually met and fell in love in the little town of 
Temastian, Jalisco. On July 1, 1946, Andres and Maria Cardenas got 
married at El Santuario del Senor de los Rayos Catholic Church. It was 
a marriage that was blessed with 11 children and would last 47 years 
until our father passed away.
  Their time in Mexico as a newlywed couple would be brief. During and 
after World War II, the U.S. Government sought agriculture and railroad 
workers from Mexico to address their labor shortages and reversed their 
previous racist and xenophobic Depression-era deportation and 
repatriation policies.
  This change in policy moved my grandfather, Ciriaco, to make his 
return to the United States in 1947 under their Bracero Program, and 
that is when my parents, Andres and Maria, chose to come to the United 
States to start a new life.
  From 1942 to 1964, the Bracero Program issued temporary U.S. work 
permits to nearly 4 million Mexican workers. The program allowed the 
country to capitalize on cheap labor and benefit from the blood, sweat, 
and tears of families like mine.
  Once in the United States, Andres and Maria Cardenas settled in 
California's Central Valley, living in a farmhouse near Stockton, to 
work as farmworkers. It was a new beginning for Andres and Maria, one 
where they would see their family grow and be exposed to new and 
greater opportunities.
  Within the years they lived in camp number 12 on McDonald Island, 
Andres and Maria Cardenas would welcome the first 3 of their 11 
children. Catalina ``Katy'' Cardenas, the first child and daughter, was 
born on February 10, 1948. A year later, on February 19, 1949, they 
welcomed their second child, Elvira ``Vera'' Cardenas. On April 1, 
1950, they welcomed their third child and first son, Ricardo 
``Richard'' Cardenas, to the family.
  For several years, my father worked in the fields, picking just about 
everything under the Sun, lemons, oranges, grapes, asparagus, and 
potatoes.
  After working in the fields for various growing seasons, he moved his 
family further west to Antioch, California, to work as a railroad 
worker. The move to Antioch welcomed the addition of two more children.
  Their fourth child, Eliza ``Licha'' Cardenas, was born on November 
19, 1951, and 2 years after, their fifth child was born on May 8, 1953, 
Maria Trinidad ``Trini'' Cardenas.

  My father, Andres, was always determined to work hard. When the 
opportunities presented themselves, he would always step up.
  I recall the story he told me of the time he was promoted from a 
farmworker in the fields to operating the farm's tractor. When the 
English-speaking owner of the farm asked a group of Mexican and 
Filipino laborers if they knew how to operate the tractor, no one 
understood what he was saying.
  My father took a risk and raised his hand. When the owner took him to 
the tractor and handed him the keys, my father waited for the man to 
leave to figure out how to turn the tractor on, and he began to teach 
himself how to operate that tractor.

                              {time}  1145

  My mother and father were humble people. They didn't brag about their 
life or their accomplishments. They chose not to indulge in vain 
conversations. There were times we learned some of their personal 
stories and accomplishments through the accounts of others.
  One of the stories my siblings and I came to learn over 40 years 
after it occurred was about a time a fire broke

[[Page H5221]]

out while my father was working in the fields. A family friend, Victor 
Cervantes, the son of a farmworker by the name of Pedro Cervantes, 
shared the story that his father told him.
  Pedro was burning the field in order to remove the crop residues of 
the previous harvest and things quickly got out of control. The water 
pump that connected to the levee for the purpose of controlling the 
burn suddenly stopped working and the fire quickly spread and 
surrounded him. Realizing his dire predicament, Pedro laid down and 
began to say his last prayer. At that moment, my father, Andres, drove 
the tractor through the flames and pulled Pedro out of the fire and 
saved his life.
  My father and my mother never shared that story with any of their 
children. He was a hero. He saved a man's life that day, yet the story 
was unknown to us for over 40 years.
  It was several years after my father's passing that our close family 
friend, Victor, shared the accounts of that day with my older sister, 
Nani, and she shared the story with me. Since my father had already 
passed away, I went to see my mother the next day to confirm the story. 
I asked my mother: Is it true that my dad saved a man's life when he 
was working in the fields many, many years ago? And without any 
emotion, she replied: ``Si,'' which means ``yes.'' Astonished by her 
response, I asked why they never shared the story with any of us, and 
she replied, ``Hijo, nomas estaba haciendo su quehacer,'' which 
translates to, ``Son, he was just doing his job.''
  Andres Cardenas was not a firefighter. He was a farmworker working in 
the fields that day, and when he heard a cry for help, he responded and 
saved a man's life. My parents were humble and always believed that 
actions speak louder than words.
  In early 1953, my parents decided to leave California's Central 
Valley, and they moved to the suburbs of Los Angeles. For a short time, 
they lived in San Gabriel, California, in a community that included 
relatives and friends who had emigrated to the United States from 
Temastian, Jalisco, and their neighboring towns.
  The change of scenery from the clear skies of the Central Valley to 
the smog-filled skies of Los Angeles was a drastic change. As my 
parents and siblings adjusted to the move, San Gabriel's poor air 
quality became detrimental to my mother's health. She developed a 
serious respiratory issue that needed medical attention.
  The access to quality and affordable healthcare has always been a 
barrier for immigrant families and communities throughout America. It 
was back then, and it is today. The high cost of care and medications 
often made immigrant families decide to avoid visiting the doctor, even 
if they find themselves in dire situations. This was certainly the case 
for the Cardenas family and our household back then.
  As my mother dealt with her medical condition, she began to worry for 
the health and well-being of her children. My father and mother decided 
what was best for their family was to move away from the bustling city 
and move to the suburbs in the San Fernando Valley.
  Due to the redlining policies that existed at that time, Andres and 
Maria Cardenas were only allowed to buy a home in Pacoima, California. 
Pacoima was deemed a redline community due to the mostly low-income 
White, Black, and Brown people who lived there. Yet, the redline stigma 
was never a concern for any of its residents, as it became a very 
welcoming community and a wonderful place to raise your children.
  On November 17, 1955, my father, who at that time was working for the 
Laborers Local 300 Union, was able to purchase our family home on 
Filmore Street in Pacoima. This home, which to this day remains in the 
family, would see the Cardenas family double in size with the birth of 
the next six Cardenas children.
  On April 3, 1955, my parents welcomed their sixth child, Andres 
``Papi'' Cardenas, Jr., to the family. Their seventh child, Maria 
``Nani'' Cardenas was born on February 2, 1957. The eighth child, Jose 
Cardenas, was born on August 27, 1958. The last three of the children 
were all born in the 1960s. Maria del Rosario ``Challo'' Cardenas was 
born on October 7, 1960, Ernesto ``Ernie'' Cardenas was born on 
November 8, 1961, and I, Antonio ``Tony'' Cardenas was the last of 
their 11 children to be born on March 31, 1963.
  In Pacoima, our family's social and community involvement revolved 
around the Catholic church. My parents were devoted Catholics who 
always looked to be involved parishioners. My mother's devotion led her 
to dedicate herself to service of ``Adoracion Nocturna,'' the Nocturnal 
Adoration Society and ``Las Guadalupanas'' Society, both part of the 
Santa Rosa Parish in the city of San Fernando. She also extended her 
service to ``Las Guadalupanas'' and ``La Legion de Maria'' of the Mary 
Immaculate Catholic Church of Pacoima.
  Like many immigrant families, we were guided by our religious 
principles. We attended Sunday mass and participated in church events. 
My parents instilled in us the Golden Rule: In everything you do, do to 
others what you would have them do to you. They weren't just words. 
They led by example.
  My father, Andres, took his responsibility as the breadwinner very 
seriously. His deep love for his family meant that he ensured there was 
always food on the table. His work ethic meant he would work 5, 6, or 7 
days a week with an attitude of gratitude, appreciation, and without 
complaint.
  For approximately 15 years, my father, Andres, worked as a 
construction laborer throughout Los Angeles. His construction career 
led him to help build the foundation of the San Fernando Valley we know 
today. He was very proud of building the roads, highways, schools, and 
universities, the infrastructure that stands in the Valley to this day.

  In the late 1960s, after years of working in construction, my father 
was able to begin his gardening business and, for the first time, his 
professional career took him to be his own boss.
  He started with a few neighborhood clients and little by little began 
to expand his business across the valley.
  During the San Fernando Valley's hot summer days, where we endured 
100-degree weather, my father chose never to take a day off. As he 
sought to teach us strong work ethic, he would take all of his sons to 
work with him. We didn't appreciate it at the time, but his hard work 
ethic led all of us to be successful in all of our respective careers.
  Maria Cardenas was a homemaker. She raised and took care of her 11 
children and in addition to the care, she provided us her love and 
extended that love to other neighborhood kids that she was entrusted to 
care for. My mother, Maria, gave the kids the loving care that every 
child deserves. In this picture, you might see that little girl at the 
bottom with the white ribbon in her hair. She looks a little different 
than the rest of us. That is Angel.
  Angel was entrusted to our family and far too often, when her mother 
was supposed to pick her up, she wasn't there. She stayed overnight. 
She was with us. She became part of the family. That is the love that a 
mother with 11 children finds the ability to afford that to children 
who deserve that, too.
  My mother was also a talented seamstress who was hired by fellow 
parishioners to sew dresses for their child's quinceaneras, communions, 
and their weddings.
  I recall she had a natural skill of producing beautiful dresses just 
by listening to the requests from her customers or by following the 
rough sketches that they provided. I got to witness the faces of 
satisfaction once they received my mom's creations, sometimes bringing 
the bride to tears.
  Beyond formal education, my parents taught us through their actions, 
giving us the most valuable lessons of all. In the Mexican culture, the 
most important education doesn't come from a degree, but from the 
instruction at home. It is where my parents instilled in us the values 
of compassion, love, respect for others, trustworthiness, and the 
importance of pouring your heart and soul into everything that you do.
  All of Andres and Maria's 11 children attended Telfair Elementary, 
San Fernando Middle School, and San Fernando High School. Andres and 
Maria were proud to know that their children were able to achieve a 
formal education far beyond what they were able to achieve growing up 
in Mexico.

[[Page H5222]]

  We grew up in a neighborhood with its share of challenges, but none 
of the Cardenas children ever ended up in the back seat of a police 
car. We followed our parents' examples, took the advice of caring 
teachers and mentors, and always gave our best in everything that we 
did.
  The next generation of the Cardenas family have been blessed with 
opportunities and accomplishments that far exceeded the dreams of our 
parents, Andres and Maria Cardenas.
  The first child of Andres and Maria Cardenas, Catalina ``Katy'' 
Cardenas Gomez married Freddie Gomez, a Vietnam veteran and a former 
employee at Lockheed. My sister and Freddie are blessed with four 
children: Rosamaria Gomez, Freddie Gomez, III, Cristina Gomez, and 
their youngest child, Mike A. Gomez.
  The Gomez family have welcomed Francisco Garcia through his marriage 
with their daughter, Cristina, and will soon welcome Maribel Medina to 
the family when she marries their son, Mike.
  Today, Katy is enjoying her retirement after a long career at Kaiser 
Permanente. Katy and Freddie are celebrating 54 years of marriage. They 
love spending time with their eight grandchildren: Anthony, Gabriel, 
Landon, Braydon, Aaron, Mila, Ariana, and Ariel, as they attend all of 
their sporting and family events.
  My sister, Elvira ``Vera'' Cardenas Loa, the second child of Andres 
and Maria, married Richard Loa, an attorney with a longstanding career 
since 1977. Richard is an elected councilmember of the city of 
Palmdale, California. Richard and Vera have four children: Angelica 
Loa-Perez, Jesse Loa, Richard ``Ricky'' Loa, and Becky Loa. They also 
have welcomed Henry Perez to their family as he married their daughter, 
Angelica.
  Today, both Vera and her husband, Richard, are celebrating 51 years 
of marriage and enjoy having the company of their five grandchildren: 
Elias, Natalia, Amaya, Maddox, and Jaxson.
  The third child of Andres and Maria Cardenas, Ricardo ``Richard'' 
Cardenas, received his engineering degree from the University of 
California, Los Angeles, UCLA, and retired after a long career at the 
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  Richard married Margaret and they have two children: Richard Andres 
Cardenas and Kimberly Sara Cardenas Munch. Richard Andres married 
Yvette Santana Cardenas and Kimberly married David Munch.
  Today, my brother, Richard, and Margaret are celebrating 48 years of 
marriage and are spending quality time with their four grandchildren: 
Diego, Vincent, Hudson, and Turner.
  The fourth child, Elisa ``Licha'' Cardenas Herrera, married Hector 
Herrera, a Vietnam veteran, and they have four children: Hector 
Herrera, Jr., Monica Herrera Sanchez, Elisa Maria Herrera Lomeli, and 
David Herrera.
  Licha and Hector have welcomed two sons-in-law to their family, Rogi 
Sanchez, who is married to their daughter, Monica; and Richard Lomeli, 
who is married to their daughter, Elisa.
  Today, Licha and Hector are celebrating 53 years of marriage and are 
enjoying the company of their six grandchildren: Kilie, Olivia, Lennon, 
Sienna, Lana, and Faora; and their great-grandchild, Atreus.

                              {time}  1200

  Maria Trinidad ``Trini'' Cardenas Rodriguez, the fifth child, 
graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a 
bilingual K-12 teaching degree.
  She married Luis J. Rodriguez, who is a writer, journalist, poet, and 
activist. They have four children, Ramiro Daniel Rodriguez, Andrea 
Victoria Rodriguez, Ruben Joaquin Rodriguez, and Luis Jacinto ``Chito'' 
Rodriguez. Their daughter, Andrea, is married to Sean Patrick Kenney.
  Today, Trini and her husband, Luis, now spend much of their time with 
their five grandchildren, Ricardo, Ana, Amanda, Jack, and Catalina, and 
their seven great-grandchildren, Jayda, Liliana, Xavier, Andre, 
Jedidiah, Rose, and Niklaus.
  My brother, the sixth child of Andres and Maria, Andres ``Papi'' 
Cardenas, Jr., succeeded academically.
  His teachers and counselors saw immense promise in Papi, so much so 
that the San Fernando High School nominated him to be a delegate to The 
American Legion California Boys State program. California Boys State 
celebrated and sought students who embodied the spirit of their schools 
and communities, and it was fitting that they chose Papi, a young man 
of great character who always looked to be of service to others.
  Sadly, on July 4, 1971, during a family trip to Rosarito, Baja 
California, Mexico, Papi rescued someone from drowning and lost his 
life in the process. He died a hero, and he has been immortalized in 
the hearts of his family and friends.
  Maria ``Nani'' Cardenas, the seventh child of Andres and Maria, 
married Enrique Sanchez, and they had five children, Luzmaria Sanchez, 
Esperanza Sanchez, Enrique Sanchez, Jr., Cristal Sanchez, and Jose 
Andres Sanchez.
  Today, Nani enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren, 
Gabriela, Sebastian, and Andres Mateo.
  The eighth child of Andres and Maria, Dr. Jose Cardenas, is a 
graduate of Baylor University and today works as a clinical community 
psychologist in the community that he grew up in. Jose is married to 
Rosalinda Rivera Cardenas, a longtime educator, and they have three 
children, Benjamin Elias Cardenas, Nicolas Antonio Cardenas, and 
Cristian Rene Cardenas.
  Jose's family has grown with the addition of two daughters-in-laws, 
Lucerito Estela Cardenas, who is married to Benjamin, and Nicole 
Elizabeth Cardenas, who is married to Nicolas. They will soon welcome 
Elizabeth Maria De Los Angeles Sanchez to the family as she is engaged 
to marry Cristian Rene.
  Today, Jose and Rosalinda are celebrating 38 years of marriage and 
are enjoying the company of their two grandchildren, Nora and Nash.
  My sister Maria del Rosario Cardenas Cline, ``Challo,'' is the ninth 
child and the last daughter of Andres and Maria. Challo completed 
UCLA's bilingual dental assistant grant program and for over 30 years 
worked in the dentistry field.
  Challo is married to Richard Cline, a retired engineer, and they have 
spent 22 years together raising their five children, Selina Reyes Joll, 
Monique Reyes, Derek Cline, Lucas Cline, and Rebecca Cline.
  Over the years, Challo and her husband, Richard, have welcomed new 
members to the Cardenas-Cline family, with Selina's marriage to Jason 
Joll and Lucas' marriage to Amanda Cline.
  The 10th child of Andres and Maria, my brother Ernesto ``Ernie'' 
Cardenas, has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the 
University of California, Santa Barbara, UCSB, and a master's degree in 
business administration from the California State Polytechnic 
University, Pomona.
  Ernie married Isabel Calderon, and they have three children, Armando 
Gabriel Cardenas, Daniel Esteban Cardenas, and Marcos Adrian Cardenas. 
Ernie and Isabel have also welcomed to the family Alex, who is married 
to their son Marcos.
  Today, Ernie and Isabel are celebrating 33 years of marriage 
together, and he is enjoying retirement after a long career working for 
Pacific Bell, SBC, and AT&T.
  As the last child born to Andres and Maria Cardenas, I benefited from 
witnessing my siblings' life experiences and examples as it helped 
shape some of my academic and professional pursuits.
  I am the last of 11 children to attend and graduate from San Fernando 
High School. I was accepted to the University of California Santa 
Barbara, UCSB, where I earned my degree in electrical engineering.
  In 1992, I made my best decision and married the love of my life, 
Norma. We have been married for 32 years, and I have enjoyed her love, 
patience, counsel, and her full support.
  We have raised our four incredible children, Vanessa Marie De La 
Rosa, Cristian David Cardenas, Andres Antonio Cardenas, and Alina 
Brianna Cardenas.
  Through my daughter Vanessa's marriage, we have welcomed our son-in-
law, Brian De La Rosa, to the family and have been blessed with two 
amazing grandchildren, Joaquin Cruz and Jimena Luna.
  For nearly 29 years of public service, I was honored to have the 
trust of the incredible people of the Northeast San Fernando Valley.

[[Page H5223]]

  In 1996, I ran for the California State Assembly and became the first 
Latino to represent the San Fernando Valley in our State's capitol. I 
was elected to the State assembly for three terms.
  In 2003, I won a seat on the Los Angeles City Council to represent 
the Sixth District. I proudly represented San Fernando Valley residents 
for nearly a decade in city hall.
  In 2012, with the support of Norma and the rest of my family, I 
decided to run for the United States Congress. I have the distinction 
of being the first Latino to represent the San Fernando Valley in the 
United States House of Representatives.
  After 12 years serving in Congress, I decided to retire from my 
position to focus more time on my family and allow the next generation 
of leaders the opportunity I was granted.
  I would like to take a point of privilege and acknowledge the United 
States Senator from California who is here in the Chambers with us who 
also grew up in Pacoima and who is also the son of immigrant parents 
from Mexico. That is what I mean when it is time for me to move on and 
leave the opportunity for great leadership to flourish and continue to 
represent us.

  I thank United States Senator Alex Padilla for all the commitment he 
has given, not only to the community of the northeast valley but to the 
State of California and to our country. Again, in the spirit of the 
Hispanic Heritage Month, I thank him.
  Today, I think of my parents and their journey, of their love and 
instruction, and I wish they could have seen all of our 
accomplishments. I hope that by telling their story today, they are 
proud of us all.
  Andres Cardenas Soria passed away at his home in Pacoima, California, 
on July 3, 1993. He was surrounded by his family and the friends who 
respected and loved him dearly.
  Six years after our father's passing, on October 26, 1999, Maria 
Encarnacion ``Chonita'' Quezada Cardenas passed away while she was 
spending time with family and friends in her hometown of Temastian, 
Mexico.
  Andres and Maria Cardenas were survived by their 10 children, 38 
grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
  In 1997, my siblings and I decided to honor our father's legacy and 
formed the Andres Cardenas Family Foundation. Two years later, after 
our mother passed away, we decided to change the foundation to the 
Andres y Maria Cardenas Family Foundation.
  As Andres and Maria had encouraged their children to seek higher 
education opportunities and saw their children earn degrees, we decided 
to give back to deserving students and families of the Northeast San 
Fernando Valley by providing scholarships and support for their higher 
education pursuits.
  Now, for over 25 years, the Andres y Maria Cardenas Family Foundation 
has supported the educational goals of local students by raising and 
giving away over $1.5 million in scholarship funds in support of over 
1,400 valley students.
  On March 9, 2009, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation 
and Parks renamed the Blythe Street Park in Panorama City, California, 
to the Andres and Maria Cardenas Recreation Center. The local not-for-
profit organizations requested the name be changed as they felt my 
parents' story was representative of the local neighborhood and of its 
values of hard work and community commitment and how immigrants can 
make it in America.
  Three years later, on March 19, 2012, the Valley Region No. 9 
Elementary School, which was brand new, located in Van Nuys, 
California, was named the Andreas and Maria Cardenas Elementary School. 
The local community wanted the school to bear the name of immigrant 
parents, who, despite facing enormous challenges, were able to promote 
education in their households and produce successful, contributing 
members of our great Nation.
  The story of Andres and Maria Cardenas is just a small part of the 
enormous legacy of immigrants. Like many immigrant families, my parents 
dedicated their life's work, ``para sacar su familia adelante,'' which 
means ``to help their family advance in life.''
  The story of Andres and Maria Cardenas is America's story, one of 
hard work and achievements in the pursuit of the American Dream. Their 
journey from Mexico to the United States and their ability to raise 
their 11 successful children in the face of many challenges is a 
testament to the strength and resilience of many Latino and immigrant 
families across our great country.
  Andres and Maria Cardenas embody the values that make our country 
great, and their legacy lives on through their descendants and the 
contributions they continue to make to our society.
  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is 
remaining.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Moran). The gentleman from California 
has 22 minutes remaining.
  Mr. CARDENAS. The Andres and Maria Cardenas Family Foundation was 
created and built in the spirit of community. Like many families across 
this great Nation, it is easy to take things for granted, to assume 
that this is the way it should be, that things become easy.
  The reality is for far too many families in every community across 
America, hardworking parents, sometimes working two or three jobs, when 
their child says, Mom, Dad, I got accepted to Brown University, first 
of all, their parents are, like, que es Brown? What does that mean?
  Far too often, many immigrant families see that there is a college 
right down the street, maybe a community college, and they say, mijo, 
mija, why don't you just go to school there, not realizing that their 
child is actually living their dream come true, to go to one of the 
most prestigious universities in the world.
  It takes organizations like the Andres y Maria Cardenas Family 
Foundation to bring those parents in and to congratulate them and say, 
your daughter is going to Berkeley, your son is going to MIT, and to 
let them know how proud they should be, and they are proud, and to help 
them understand how important it is that they support them.
  Many parents, especially immigrant parents, struggle with the idea of 
letting their little mija, their little daughter, go thousands of miles 
away to go to school when there is a campus right down the street.
  These are the kind of cultural nuances, the kind of things that some 
Americans don't understand, but the Andres y Maria Cardenas Family 
Foundation, built by the Cardenas family and the community, understands 
that and, along with that, giving those young people the resources and 
the dollars that they earned and deserve that their parents, on many 
occasions, cannot afford to give them to be able to achieve their 
dreams, the dreams of many families who come to this country when those 
dreams were denied to them in their home country.

                              {time}  1215

  Another organization that my sister, Trini, and her husband, Luis, 
started, a not-for-profit, just like the Andres and Maria Cardenas 
Foundation, is Tia Chuchas, which happens to be--now that bookstores 
have been disappearing from communities across the Nation--the only 
bookstore in the northeast valley.
  It is free for anybody to come and enjoy the scene or come on open 
mike night and express themselves and to feel at home and to buy books. 
In some cases, if they can't afford it, they receive books for free to 
increase their knowledge and to dream, to grow, and to know that in a 
community like the northeast valley there is always a home for you. No 
matter how much money you make or don't make, there is always a place 
where you can go where you are loved and you are respected and you are 
allowed to be whoever you are and dream about being whatever you want 
to be.
  This is a not-for-profit that has been going on for decades and a 
not-for-profit that will continue for many, many years to come, born 
out of the heart and the minds of Trini Cardenas, my sister, and my 
brother-in-law, Luis Rodriguez.
  Another not-for-profit started by one of my family members is 
Luminarias by Jose Cardenas and his wife, Rosalinda. Rosalinda was a 
lifelong educator. Jose Cardenas, when he graduated from college with 
his doctor of psychology degree, came right back home to the community 
to be one of

[[Page H5224]]

the few bilingual psychologists to serve a community of hundreds of 
thousands of people. He did it purposefully because he didn't want to 
be anywhere else but in the community that gave him so much.
  Today, their not-for-profit serves parents and children, students in 
the northeast valley in Spanish and English and allows them to get 
true, real healthcare and mental health care access, something that too 
many people in America just don't have access to.
  Mental health is something that is a stigma in many communities, and 
it is a stigma in our community, the Hispanic community. It is 
wonderful to see that people are willing to dedicate themselves and to 
give of themselves to break those barriers and to make life better for 
others and literally to save lives.
  When you are a psychologist like my brother or a teacher like my 
sister-in-law, Rosalinda, you know that the suicide rate for children 
is far too high in this country. They need not only psychological 
support, but they need to know that they are loved and appreciated and 
that they matter.
  I also want to talk about some things that occurred, and 
unfortunately still occur to a certain degree to this day, and that is 
that women are not encouraged to pursue their dreams as much as men are 
in this country.
  I am the youngest of 11, born in 1963. My eldest sister was born in 
1948. That means when Catalina and Elvira, Licha, and Trini were going 
to school, that was in the 1960s. When they met with their counselor 
and asked what classes I should take, the counselor would say you 
should take typing and home economics to learn how to cook because you 
should just think of getting married, and he will take care of you.
  I don't think that is very good advice, and my wife, Norma, doesn't 
think that is very good advice, either. However, that is the advice 
that too many women in America received back then, and to this day too 
many women receive that advice, as well.
  My sister, Licha, used to help me with my math homework. She was 
better at math than me, but yet I became the engineer because society 
kept reminding her that it was not necessary to go to college. She 
could have; she should have. She is smarter than me, and in some ways a 
better person.
  I tell you that, Mr. Speaker, because it is important for people to 
understand that sometimes struggles are manmade. A counselor who should 
be advising a child and encouraging them to live their dreams tries to 
discourage them. That is a shame. That is unfortunate. That is not 
good.
  When I got to San Fernando High School, I found out later that this 
kind of situation happened not only to my brothers and sisters but 
thousands and thousands of kids who grew up in our neighborhood who 
went to our high school and the neighboring high schools.
  When I got to my high school, my counselor asked me what I wanted to 
be when I grow up, and I said I wanted to be an engineer.
  She said, I am going to put you in wood shop, auto shop, and metal 
shop--we had that back in the day--so that, you know what, you could 
make a fine mechanic. I am sure you are good with your hands.
  I had to argue with my counselor to take the classes that I needed to 
even be able to be admitted to college because in order for you to be 
able to be admitted to a university in America, you have to take 
certain high school courses. If you don't, you are not allowed to even 
be accepted.
  Why did I know that? I was lucky; I was the youngest of 11. I saw my 
brother, Richard, become an engineer; my sister, Nani, go to CSUN; my 
sister, Trini, go to CSUN. All this activity that I happened to know 
helped me better than that counselor to know what I needed to do. 
Luckily for me, I won that argument. I took the courses I needed to 
take.
  Then something even worse happened. In my 12th grade year at San 
Fernando High School, I was accepted to the University of California, 
Santa Barbara electrical engineering department. Somebody told me later 
it was the third toughest engineering school to get into in the 
country. I made it. I earned it.
  When I told my 12th grade math teacher the next day after receiving 
that letter at my home, he didn't let me finish my sentence when I said 
I got accepted to UC Santa Barbara, and I am going to be an engineer. 
He cut me off and said don't even try it. You can't cut it. They will 
eat you alive.
  I tell that story to young children all the time, and I remind them, 
how dare any of your teachers or counselors or anybody in your 
community tell you that you can't be this or you can't be that. I ask 
them: How many of you think I am a straight-A student? Being that I am 
a Congressman, most of the kids raise their hands. I am flattered.

  I was never a straight-A student, but I always tried my best. I 
always gave everything my all, and that is what I tell the children: Do 
not believe the lies, the lies that were told to many of the people in 
this photo, who despite those lies achieved their dreams.
  I get to be a United States Congressman. Mr. Speaker, as you and I 
know, the honor to be a Member of this Chamber is overwhelming. It is a 
tremendous responsibility. The reason I get to speak to you this way 
today is because you have to be a Member of Congress to be acknowledged 
and recognized to speak on this floor.
  Yes, you have seen the President speak, and that is because he is 
invited, and we allow him that honor. You have seen heads of state do 
the same. The only way that they can do that is they have to be invited 
by this body and be allowed to do so.
  My community elected me to be their Representative, a kid from 
Pacoima, someone who was told you can't make it. You can't do it. I was 
someone who had just enough of the right people in my life. Mr. 
Johnson, my 10th grade English teacher, who stayed after school to make 
sure that I finally learned how to read and write so that I could some 
day go to college.
  I found out later in life, in one grade level, Mr. Johnson got me to 
read two-and-a-half grade levels higher by the time I left his class 
from the time I arrived in his class. That is love. That is a 
professional. That is an American who pours his heart and soul into 
what he does. Lucky for us, we have had just enough people in our lives 
to help us do that.
  Hispanic Heritage Month is something that is celebrated in the United 
States of America, and we have many months to celebrate many 
communities because we are a country that is great, with a tapestry of 
people who have been here for hundreds of years and some people who 
just arrived yesterday.
  A country that is great is a country that appreciates all of its 
citizens, all of its residents, all of the people who give of 
themselves and work hard and just dream for a better life for the next 
generation. That is the United States of America that I am proud to be 
a part of. That is the United States of America, Mr. Speaker, that I 
have had the honor and privilege to enjoy.
  I stand on the shoulders of many, and I am so proud to stand on the 
shoulders of the men and women right here beside me--humble people who 
always give it their all. Humble people who do things without 
complaint. Beautiful people who are American citizens, who are making 
this country wonderful, beautiful, and great in every little act that 
they have ever done.
  I also want to say that it is not lost on me that I have heard my 
brothers and sisters talk about how in their jobs they are always asked 
to be promoted. Sometimes they say yes. Sometimes they say no, thank 
you. Why is that? Because they give it their all. They put their heart 
and soul into what they do.
  To me, that is all Andres and Maria dreamed of, to have children who 
understand what it is to respect ourselves, to respect others, to work 
hard, to play by the rules, and to never think twice about giving, 
giving, giving.
  Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman has 7 minutes remaining.
  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say a few names of some 
great Latinos and Latinas who have influenced me, my family members: 
Cardenas, Sanchez, Loa, Martinez, Padilla, Rivas, Rodriguez, Guzman, 
Gutierrez, Zaragoza, Gavidia, Franco, Herrera, Gomez, Rivera, Reyes, 
Pacheco, Montes, Ramos, Quezada, Pinedo, Perez, Menendez, Acevedo, 
Delgado, Schneider, Espaillat, Garcia,

[[Page H5225]]

Barragan, Casar, Torres, Polanco, Escutia, Jimenez, Vargas, Napolitano, 
Vela, and the list goes on and on and on.
  I have been blessed, and I hope and pray that whatever I have done or 
whatever I do, I can be some kind of a positive example and help bring 
blessings to others. It is an honor to stand before you today and to 
share their story, our story, an American story and to celebrate the 
rich heritage and contributions of Latinos and Latinas throughout the 
history of our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________