[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22450]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR FELIX AND SOLEDAD CORONA FOR THEIR 50TH 
         WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate a couple who 
will soon celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and to honor their 
outstanding contributions to our community in Phoenix, Arizona.
  Felix came to the United States as a migrant worker, toiling the 
fertile fields of California in the late 40's working for the Acosta 
Company. In 1950 he accepted a construction position refurbishing the 
Sacramento Fairgrounds. He worked very hard so that he could send money 
back home to his beloved family. Mexico was never far from his heart 
and he would visit when time allowed. On one of his trips back home in 
1950 he met Soledad. He returned to California to continue to help 
support his brothers and sisters but his heart was in Autlan, Jalisco 
were he returned in 1952 to work and on September 29, 1953 Felix and 
Soledad were married in the company of friends and family. Felix worked 
for the Mexico Department of Geology and Minerals from 1952 to 1957. 
The young couple had their first son, Juan Manuel in 1956 followed by 
their first daughter Maria in 1957.
  Felix and Soledad made the difficult decision of leaving loved ones 
and moving to the United States. They knew that their future and that 
of their children was in the North. They maintained a fierce loyalty to 
the family that they left behind and continued to help fund and educate 
their siblings while living in their new adopted home.
  The Coronas first worked as laborers on the Dansie Farm in Northern 
California. They wanted to achieve the American dream for themselves 
and their children and in 1958 they developed a company that helped 
ranchers cultivate their crops.
  During this time the young family grew to include six more children, 
all born in Marysville, California. They welcomed Armando in 1958, 
Teresa in 1959, Esperanza in 1961, Hector in 1962, Alex in 1964 and 
Beatrice in 1965.
  In 1967, Felix started what has been a rich legacy of success, 
achievement and accomplishment when he formed a partnership with life 
long friends, Raul Ybarra, Albert Rodriguez and Francisco Mejia. They 
owned and operated Spanish Movie houses in Marysville, San Jose, San 
Bernardino and Orange County.
  In 1970, Felix, Soledad and all eight children moved to Phoenix, 
Arizona to expand the business. They ran the Palace West Theater from 
1970 to 1987. During that time, they saw the need for expanding the 
Hispanic family entertainment in Arizona and they met that need by 
opening the Cine Mexico in Chandler in 1979 and the Hayden West Plaza 
in 1980.
  This was a busy time for the young and ambitious family, running a 
couple of restaurants such as the Courtroom Restaurant in downtown 
Phoenix as well as a record distribution company, entertainment 
promotions, and gift shops.
  During this time the Coronas started working on what was going to be 
their greatest accomplishment as both a family and as leaders in the 
Hispanic business community. In 1976 they started construction of the 
Lienzo Charro El Herradero in Laveen, Arizona. Little did they imagine 
that they were embarking on a project which one day would be known 
nationally and internationally as Corona Ranch. With Felix at the mast, 
few deals were made that were not successful. His dream of bringing 
true Mexican culture and entertainment to the masses has been 
accomplished during the last 25 years.
  The Coronas have enjoyed an accomplished, successful and fulfilling 
life with their 8 children and 18 grandchildren by their side. And 
although semi-retired, this couple is not content to sit on their 
laurels. They have been active in community, cultural and religious 
organizations such as the Friendly House, Ala de La Gente, St. 
Anthony's Catholic Church and the Laveen Lions.
  Mr. Speaker, as you can see, Felix and Soledad have truly achieved 
the American dream and have contributed greatly to our community in 
Phoenix, Arizona. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating them on their 50th anniversary and for their 
contributions.

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