[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14617]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  A TRIBUTE TO ARMANDO AND BETTY RODRIGUEZ ON THEIR FIFTIETH WEDDING 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2000

  Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Armando and Betty Rodriguez of Fresno, CA, who are this weekend 
celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. As life-long residents of 
Fresno and active participants in the community, Armando and Betty have 
had a tremendous impact on their friends, neighbors and fellow 
community members over the past 50 years, and have demonstrated a 
loving devotion to one another that make their successful marriage an 
inspiring example.
  Betty and Armando Rodriguez were both born in Fresno and were high 
school sweethearts at Edison High School, where they graduated in 1947. 
They were married on July 15, 1950 and 2 years later, Armando joined 
the U.S. Air Force, serving for 4 years including a tour of duty in 
Korea. After being discharged, Armando reunited with Betty in Fresno 
and completed his undergraduate degree. After being accepted to Lincoln 
University School of Law in San Francisco, Armando began his legal 
studies while Betty supported both of them by working in a number of 
part time jobs.
  Armando's deep commitment to serving the public interest through the 
legal system was demonstrated immediately after he passed the bar exam 
and returned to California's Central Valley to help establish the 
California Rural Legal Assistance office in Madera. His commitment to 
public service has been the hallmark of his career, having served as an 
elected member of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors from 1972 to 
1975, and on the bench as a Fresno Municipal Court judge for 20 years, 
from 1975 to 1995.
  Though he officially retired from the bench in 1995, Armando 
continues to serve in his capacity as a judge when called upon. He has 
also been actively involved in the Fresno Torreon Sister Cities 
program, Arte Americas, Fresno Metropolitan Rotary, and previously 
served as the state president of the Mexican American Political 
Association.
  Betty Rodriguez has also been active in a number of community 
organizations, helping to found the League of Mexican American Women, 
and participating in Ladies Aid to Retarded Citizens, the League of 
Women Voters, the Mexican-American Political Association, Friends of 
the Library, and countless other organizations. Despite her many 
commitments to the community, she has also been a devoted caretaker of 
the Rodriguez home throughout their 50 years of marriage and has been 
the behind the scenes leader keeping the family very close.
  The key to Armando and Betty's 50 years together has been their 
undiminished love for each other and for those around them, and their 
shared and deep desire to contribute to the local community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating 
Armando and Betty Rodriguez on celebrating their 50th year of marriage, 
and expressing our hope that they are blessed with many more joyous 
years together.

                          ____________________