[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6706]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JOHN CHACON, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 19, 2007

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I stand here today to honor and remember a 
great community activist, role model, loving father, husband, and 
grandfather, John Chacon, Sr.
  John was born in El Paso, Texas, on July 6, 1935, but he called 
California home, as he resided in Ventura County for over 63 years.
  John graduated from Oxnard High School in 1955. In 1957, John married 
the love of his life, Frances ``Pancha'' Castro, with whom he shared 50 
years of happy marriage.
  Professionally, John worked over 25 years for W.B. Post and Nick 
Wargo Construction Companies. He was a lead paving foreman for 19 of 
those 25 years. At the age of 52 John retired, but he remained active 
in the community, particularly with his labor union. He was an active 
member of Laborers Local 585 for 46 years.
  John's accomplishments in the community are too many to list here, 
but some of his most notable include: membership in Los Compadres del 
Rio, membership in the Rio Mesa High School Boosters Club, and a 
founding, charter membership in the Mexican-American Golf Association.
  John's passions included golfing, gardening, camping at Lake Cachuma, 
backyard barbecues with family and friends, and listening to mariachi 
music.
  John was well-known throughout the community for cooking his famous 
``tripas'' and his secret salsa recipe. He made friends everywhere he 
went, and could never go anywhere in the community without someone 
recognizing him.
  On March 4, 2007, John passed away from a sudden illness. He will be 
greatly missed by his wife, Frances; son, John Jr.; daughters, Rosemary 
and Barbara; grandchildren, Jennifer, Vincent, Francesca and Analisa; 
and his four sisters.
  Let us pay tribute to John for the man he was and the example he set 
for all of us to follow. His dedication to family and friends, and his 
love for his community was evidenced in all that he did.
  Although he is no longer with us, John's legacy and spirit will 
continue to live on through the lives of everyone he has touched.
  Madam Speaker, let us pay our respects to John Chacon, Sr. He will 
always have a place in our hearts for everything he gave to his loved 
ones and community.

                          ____________________