[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 493-494] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING THE 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF MR. AND MRS. ENCARNACION AREVALO GUERRA ______ HON. HENRY CUELLAR of texas in the house of representatives Friday, January 9, 2009 Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today in recognition of the 50th Wedding Anniversary for Encarnacion `Carny' Arevalo Guerra and Emma Flores Guerra. The lives of these individuals have been uniquely American, and this Golden Anniversary of theirs is a special moment for not only them, but for their family and friends. Encarnacion Arevalo Arevalo was born May 15th, 1940 in McGregor, Michigan to Sacarias Bonilla Guerra and Ines Arevalo. Emma Flores Guerra was born December 13th, 1940 in San Antonio, TX to Alfredo Saucedo Flores and Ofelia Cavazos Flores. From San Antonio, Emma's family moved to Saginaw, Michigan that she met Encarnacion. Both fathers of the honored couple worked at General Motors during the 1940's, a crucial period when manufactures were devoting all effort to preparing the military with proper equipment. Music played an important role in both of their lives. As children they loved music and would attend weekly dances in Saginaw, Michigan as young adults. This later would inspire them to start a business. When both were in junior high, attending Central Junior High in Saginaw, Encarnacion played the saxophone, and Emma the French horn. This is where they met and began their relationship. Not all went as planned however as Emma's family was forced to move back to San Antonio. This would not stop their relationship however. The young couple stayed in touch by writing letters to each other at every chance they had. It was January 10, 1959 that the two married in a large ceremony at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. After marriage, Encarnacion supported his growing family with his continued employment at General Motors in Saginaw for 10 years. It was during this time that the two welcomed 5 daughters into their family: Cynthia, Sylvia, Judith Ines, Belinda, and Elaine. After leaving GM, the family moved to Laredo, Texas. It was here the couple purchased and converted the Bowl-A-Rama into what we now know as the ``Casa Blanca Ballroom''. The Ballroom has become a landmark and has held a prominent place in the lives for Laredoans for almost 40 years now. From here the couple went on to purchase their first radio station in Nuevo Laredo and name it ``Radio Canon''. This proved to a wise investment, and the Guerra's later purchased share holdings in seven more radio stations. After a short try at retirement, the two returned to the business and acquired three new radio stations: Z-93, Energy 98, and K-Onda. In 1995, the couple moved to San Antonio, but remain active in the communities. Today, when Encarnacion is not tinkering in his garden, the two are fulfilling their dream of traveling the world. The Guerras are a vibrant example of living the American dream. Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating them on the 50th Wedding Anniversary not just as local icons in Texas, but model citizens of the United States of America. They are true stewards of the American dream, and I celebrate them and thank them for their contributions to the Great State of Texas. [[Page 494]] ____________________