[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13746]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       TRIBUTE TO NANCY G. BACA ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT

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                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2001

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Nancy Baca, of Barstow, on 
the occasion of her retirement on July 3, 2001. Nancy has had a 
distinguished career of outstanding service, spanning 34 years at the 
Marine Corps Logistics Base at Barstow, California, for which she has 
received 13 awards and promotions. These awards recognize her skill and 
acumen at accounting, express appreciation of her hard work and extra 
efforts, and salute her notable achievement of saving money and 
promoting efficiency at the Base.
  Through her overtime, persistence, and relentless pursuit of cost-
effectiveness, Nancy has contributed to saving the Base from closure. 
The Base plays a pivotal role in the community of Barstow, as an 
employer and a resource, so we should all be grateful to Nancy and 
others who have worked to strive for excellence.
  This is not just about protecting a community, this is about standing 
up for the vital interests of our nation, for the Marine Corps 
Logistics Base at Barstow is essential for testing and repairing 
vehicles for the Marines. Barstow has special equipment, including 
water immersion facilities, to ensure that when a vehicle leaves the 
facility, it is in fighting shape for the mission that lies ahead. As a 
veteran who has worn the uniform of the United States, I can attest to 
the peace of mind that comes from knowing our nation has the finest 
Logistics facilities of any fighting force. For ultimately, the battle 
is won as much by dedicated workers like Nancy as it is by the labors 
of the soldier in the field.
  Nancy's story is about working hard, overcoming impoverished 
circumstances, seeking to better oneself and one's family by embracing 
opportunities. It is the story that many individuals of my generation 
have embodied, indeed, one my own family experienced growing up. It is 
the process by which our nation renews itself. It is about the 
dedication and hope of parents, about their striving for a better world 
for their children. It is about education and hard work. It is about 
the Latino experience.
  Born on February 14, 1938, and raised in Valencia, New Mexico, in a 
very poor family of 10 children, Nancy moved to Barstow, California, in 
1954, when her father came to Barstow to work on the Santa Fe Railroad. 
Nancy graduated from Barstow High School in 1957, married Morris Baca, 
began a family, and started in 1966 as a GS II/Keypunch Operator at the 
Marine Corps Logistics Base, in Barstow, California. She took 
accounting classes, ultimately playing a key role in the accounting and 
budgetary operations of the base.
  Through it all, Nancy has been a dedicated parent of four children: 
Yolanda Minor, Berna Hawkins, Anthony Baca, and Anita Lo. For years she 
accompanied her children to baseball practice, judo matches, girl 
scouts. Her children have gone on to great success, completing 
schooling, and pursuing careers that span the courts, health care, and 
other professional endeavors. She has encouraged her children to stay 
in school, to work hard to succeed; and it shows in everything they do. 
Nancy is also a devoted grandmother and great grandmother, and loving 
daughter, caring for her 91\1/2\-year-old mother.
  Throughout her labors, Nancy has found time to travel the world, 
visiting Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and our Nation's Capitol. She 
wants to take some short cruise trips, now that she is retired, and 
become more involved in exercise activities. One can tell that there is 
no slowing Nancy down--she is still taking the world by storm!
  Mr. Speaker, this is the promise of America, that the daughter of a 
railroad man can serve our nation with distinction and see the rolling 
hills of Europe, the sunset over the Seine, the canals of Italy, the 
dusty villas of Spain. She can gaze at the panorama of our Nation's 
capital, and marvel at its monuments. She has the freedom that is the 
birthright of every American, freedom she has helped preserve in her 
work at Barstow!
  And so, I wish Nancy many fine years of active retirement, and the 
joy that comes through bringing in the harvest of one's labors. I wish 
her golden sunsets with her children, lazy days with her grandchildren 
and great grandchildren, and all good things in life. I wish her God's 
blessings and good wishes on this fine occasion. We are all proud of 
you, we all salute you, as you embark on this new and exciting chapter 
in your life.

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