[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3555]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING PATRICIO ``PAT'' AND MERCY MIRANDA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2006

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, to pay tribute to Mr. Patricio 
``Pat'' S. Miranda, who died unexpectedly on September 29, 2005. Sadly, 
3 days after his passing, his wife, Mercy, also passed away.
  After graduating from Covina High School in 1945, Pat Miranda was 
drafted into the United States Army and was a member of the 77th 
Division. While serving our Nation, he saw action in the U.S. offensive 
in Okinawa and received an honorable discharge in 1946 as a sergeant.
  In 1957, Pat was appointed to the Irwindale Planning Commission, 
marking the beginning of a 44-year career of service to the city of 
Irwindale. In 1961, he was elected to the city council and served in 
various elected capacities, including mayor, for all but 3 years. Pat 
oversaw the growth of new homes, recreational and educational 
facilities, a swimming pool, post office, City Hall, police department, 
senior citizens building, and Las Casitas senior apartments.
  During his time in elected office, Pat was a member of the initial 
Irwindale delegation to visit Mexico to form a sister city relationship 
with Salvatierra, Mexico, a relationship which was formalized in 1965. 
He also made it a priority for the city and its residents to have 
regulatory control of the mining companies to ensure that the Irwindale 
community was treated fairly and with respect. Additionally, Pat was a 
charter commander of the Irwindale V.F.W. Post 9895 and a life member 
of Irwindale AmVets, Irwindale Lions and Rotary Clubs.
  Pat and his wife are remembered fondly by the city staff, city 
council members, and the Irwindale community. They are survived by 
three children: Sandra Pusey, Patrick J. Miranda II, and Magalee 
Carlson who all still reside in Irwindale, as well as four brothers, 
eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. I extend my deepest 
sympathy to them during this difficult time.
  The city, community, friends and family will greatly miss Pat and his 
wife and the many lasting contributions they made to the city of 
Irwindale.

                          ____________________