[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ANGEL DIAZ

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I stand here today to honor a civic leader, 
innovative visionary, loving father and grandfather--Angel Diaz.
  Angel was born in Los Angeles, CA, and eventually moved to Richgrove 
with his family where he attended Delano High School. After graduating 
from Porterville College in 1961, he served in the United States Army 
and received an honorable discharge in 1964.
  Upon Angel's return to the Delano area, he began an inspiring life of 
activism due to his passion and fervor for community betterment.
  As a founding member of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. 
he also founded Adelante, a networking database that connects over 2.5 
million registered Latino households in order to relay important 
community messages with the greatest priority necessary. Having sat on 
numerous boards in positions of authority, Angel is regarded with the 
utmost respect by community members and leaders alike. In the past, he 
has served as California State president of Adelante, commissioner on 
the Civil Service Commission of Kern County, president of MAPA of Kern 
County and State 15th Senate District, State and National vice 
president for the Mexican American Political Association, and State 
vice president of the Latino American Political Association, in 
addition to being a member of many more.
  Furthermore, Angel's influence in the Central Valley as a successful 
advocate for health safety regarding water contamination distinguishes 
this man as a genuine fighter and champion for Latino children and 
families everywhere.
  Apart from owning Diaz Enterprise. Angel is also the founder and CEO 
of California Migrant Leadership Pre-school. It is through this school 
that Angel is able to successfully convey the importance of 
establishing a solid foundation for the educational development needs 
of children in order to prepare them for further academic advancement. 
As a result of his involvement with this school, Angel has met with a 
wide spectrum of politicians and community' leaders to compel them to 
recognize the positive ripple effect it creates for our society.
  Angel Diaz is not only an empowering leader, but a true friend not 
only to me and my family and the Latino community. I am grateful for 
Angel's admirable dedication to instilling positive change and leading 
an exemplarily life, one of whose footsteps we all hope to follow. God 
Bless him for love of country and mankind.

                          ____________________