[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 968]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO DR. CECILIA COTA-ROBLES SUAREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2004

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I pay tribute 
today to the life of Dr. Cecilia Cota-Robles Suarez, a longtime 
political and educational leader. She passed away last week after a 
courageous battle against breast cancer. This is why I have fought and 
continue to fight tirelessly on behalf of breast cancer research, 
through such legislation as H.R. 1385 which recently passed the House. 
Without proper funding, it will become increasingly difficult to save 
the lives of people like Dr. Suarez, whose remarkable and inspirational 
life touched the lives of countless people. So I join today with family 
and friends in honoring her memory.
  To all those who knew Dr. Suarez, she exhibited love of life, 
generosity of spirit, and compassion for her fellow man. She was a 
dedicated teacher who challenged those around her to strive for a 
better life through educational opportunities, never being satisfied 
with the way the world is but instead questioning what it could be.
  After receiving her Doctorate in education from U.C.L.A., Dr. Suarez 
went on to fight for early childhood and bilingual schooling. As 
President of the Association of Mexican American Educators (AMAE) and 
member of the National Chicana Foundation, as well as the Tri-Counties 
Mexican American Political Association, she was a passionate advocate 
and leading activist for Hispanic education. Her tremendous 
selflessness led her to her role as community leader and respected 
member of her community.
  I join today with family and friends in paying tribute to Dr. Cecilia 
Suarez, beloved wife, mother, and friend. She is survived by her three 
children Francisco, Mike, and Laura, and her four grandchildren Arnado, 
Michelle, Christine, and Victoria. Her generous and gregarious spirit 
will be deeply missed by all.

                          ____________________