[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19397-19398]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF DAVID J. MORALES, MARCH 5, 1945-JULY 9, 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2005

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. David J. 
Morales, a dear friend, loving family man and devoted civic leader who 
passed away Saturday, July 9, 2005 after a valiant struggle with 
leukemia. David was laid to rest on Friday, July 15, 2005 surrounded by 
those who loved and admired him. We are comforted knowing that today he 
rests in peace.
  David Morales was living proof that adversity exists to be overcome. 
Born to Pablo Morales and Bernardina Diaz Morales in Salinas, 
California on March 5, 1945, David was the youngest of 13 children. 
Before he had reached his first birthday, David's mother had succumbed 
to breast cancer. Thus began his life in his beloved Los Angeles where 
he was raised in the San Fernando Valley by his godparents, Ventura and 
Felicita Borbon.
  Living modestly, David learned the lessons of life at an early age. 
He sold fruit and scrap metal that he found on his family farm. He 
began to nurture the strong entrepreneurial spirit that would guide his 
personal and career success that awaited. But before then, at the age 
of 14, David faced yet another tragedy--his beloved godmother Felicita 
passed away.
  To finish high school, David moved in with an older brother. His 
brother would teach him to be a commercial painter, the trade that 
would shape his future.
  In 1975, risking everything he had in order to support his family, 
David created Borbon, Inc. Over the past 30 years, Borbon, Inc. has 
become one of the largest commercial painting contractors in the 
country. A union painting company based in Southern California, Borbon 
Inc. has been recognized numerous times by Hispanic Business Magazine 
as one of the most successful Latino-owned enterprises in the Nation.
  But here I must pause, because those of us who knew him are very 
familiar with David's rags to riches story. David had the heart, the 
brains and the guts to succeed. But more importantly--and it's no 
secret--he had Celia Martinez Morales. Together David and Celia raised 
five accomplished children, David, Lisa, Melissa, Christina and Paul. 
They gave their children what a youthful David could only dream of, a 
solid education, a world of opportunity and a reputation stronger than 
steel. None of that expired on July 9, 2005.
  David defied great odds to become an accomplished businessman and 
took it upon himself to provide opportunities to others. He was an 
anchor of support to the Boys and Girls Club of Buena Park, California 
and the University of Southern California Mexican-American Alumni 
Association. As a member of the Latin Business Association and the 
Buena Park Chamber of Commerce, David sought to open doors for 
America's next generation of entrepreneurs.
  In an era where we cannot trust who boards our planes or enters our 
Capitol, David succeeded on a handshake. In a world marked by

[[Page 19398]]

indifference and tumbling civility, David was a builder. And in a place 
we call the City of Angels, David belonged.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with heart-felt sorrow, yet great admiration and 
appreciation that I ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting 
David Morales, a wonderful husband and father, a cherished friend, and 
an inspirational example of America's dream come true. May his 
generosity and dedication to opening doors for others be remembered and 
carried on by his family and those of us who were fortunate enough to 
call him friend. David, you left us more than you could ever know.

                          ____________________