[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27898]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF AQUILINO ZARAZUA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 17, 2009

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Aquilino 
Zarazua of Carmel Valley, California. Aquilino was an extraordinary man 
whose infectious smile and peaceful demeanor comforted all those who 
came into contact with him. Aquilino passed away on September 12, 2009, 
at age 91, leaving behind an inspiring success story for many immigrant 
families to emulate.
  Aquilino was born on January 4, 1918, in the small town of Santa 
Catarina, Guanajuato, in central Mexico. When Aquilino was quite young, 
his mother passed away leaving six children without their mother. 
Aquilino was the eldest sibling and so he became his father Quintil's 
trusted companion in raising the family. Aquilino eventually left Santa 
Catarina to search for other opportunities in neighboring towns and 
cities and years later made his way to the United States.
   In 1945 Aquilino arrived in Chualar, California, as part of the 
Bracero or guest worker program. The work was arduous and strenuous but 
Aquilino was determined to persevere and succeed. Aquilino would often 
state that he would never return to his home town in worse shape than 
when he left; to do so would be shameful. Later Aquilino would travel 
to Jalisco, Mexico, with his friend Angel De Leon, the cook from the 
labor camp. Some time thereafter Aquilino decided to marry the cook's 
daughter, Ampelia De Leon.
  Aquilino and Ampelia had three daughters in the United States, all of 
whom graduated from college. Aquilino instilled in his daughters the 
value of a formal education and was extremely proud to attend their 
college graduations. One of his biggest fears was that his daughters 
would be relegated to toiling in agricultural fields or undertaking 
menial labor to earn a living. He taught them that a formal education 
was the only path out of the poverty and limited employment options 
which many immigrant families had endured.
  Aquilino could speak little English, yet he was precise in 
communicating his thoughts and feelings. His generous and sincere smile 
would always welcome you and make you feel significant and strong. 
Aquilino will be remembered for his gentle manner and honesty; his 
devotion to his family and friends; and his keen ability to impart 
compassion and understanding to everyone he met.
  Madam Speaker, Aquilino Zarazua has left a legacy in Monterey County 
and has inspired many immigrant fathers and families to seek a better 
life for their children. Thanks to Aquilino we know that the greatest 
inheritance a child can receive is a father's sense of values and 
compassion for others. I am certain I speak for the entire House in 
extending our heartfelt sympathy to Aquilino's wife Ampelia and his 
daughters Albertina, Blanca and Gladys.

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