[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10235]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE INLAND EMPIRE HISPANIC NEWS

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                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 2009

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, in October 1987 the first issue of the 
Inland Empire Hispanic News was published. To date, we celebrate the 
22nd Anniversary of this initial publication. The paper has been widely 
accepted by both the Hispanic public and the Inland Empire as the 
premier publication in the distribution areas, with a probable 4.5 
person readership per individual paper. The Inland Empire Hispanic News 
has continually published the tabloid on a bimonthly basis for the past 
22 years and has successfully reached out to the Inland Empire 
communities of Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Colton, Fontana, 
Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Upland, Riverside, and Corona. Since its 
incorporation, the Inland Empire Hispanic News has been recognized with 
well over 35 awards varying from congressional, state, city, and other 
civic and non-profit organizations for its journalistic contributions 
to the Hispanic community and the Inland Empire.
  The newspaper was founded by Mr. Graciano Gomez, who saw an urgent 
need for a newspaper that would exemplify the positive Hispanic 
attributes, and further the education, socio-economic and business 
issues prevalent in the Inland Empire. Mr. Gomez understood that in 
order to advocate for the greater Hispanic community, he needed to 
provide a common unified communication vehicle that highlighted both 
the positive accomplishments within the greater community, as well as 
the public policies and issues at hand. Mr. Gomez organized a meeting 
with diverse community leaders and founded the Board of Directors 
consisting of Ray Abril Jr., Aurelio De La Torre, Esther Mata, Arthur 
Milian, George Martinez, Ray Nieves, and of course Mr. Graciano Gomez 
as Chairperson and Publisher. The Board established that the major 
goals of the Inland Empire Hispanic News would be the advocacy of 
education, economic development, volunteerism, and political activity 
that were of critical interest to the greater Hispanic community.
  The Inland Empire Hispanic News has since been one of the leading 
newspapers to highlight important public and social policies in regards 
to health, education, economic development, and business news. It 
captures the heart of the greater Inland Empire community by sharing 
the inspiring stories of outstanding role models of leaders in the 
community, business, education, and non-profit sectors, and individuals 
and families who are making positive contributions to our society. The 
paper has also become a primary source for many interested in current 
issues, news events, advocacy opportunities and available resources.
  With the hard work and commitment of Mr. Gomez and his wife of 30 
years, Mrs. Trini Gomez, the Inland Empire Hispanic News provided input 
from elected officials, governmental agencies, community based 
organizations, individuals, business and other sources relative to 
issues and interests of the greater Hispanic community. Since the 
publication's inception, Mrs. Trini Gomez has played a vital role in 
the development and on going operation of the newspaper. Together they 
have made this dream of a creating a vital resource for the Hispanic 
population within the Inland Empire a reality.
  However, the dream of this newspaper, its mission and great 
accomplishments would not have been possible without Mr. Graciano 
Gomez. Mr. Gomez was raised in the Inland Empire, graduating from 
Redlands High School in 1943. Immediately following graduation he was 
called into the United States Air Force, serving in the India/Burma 
Theater of War. After being honorably discharged in 1946 he was 
employed at Norton Air Force Base. In 1952, he resigned in order to 
accept a position in the County of San Bernardino. He served 34 years 
with the County of San Bernardino and associated agencies and was 
recognized for his civil service career by state and county officials.
  Since his military discharge in 1946, Mr. Gomez has established 
himself as a professional pillar of the Inland community, while also 
continuing a passion and commitment for community service.
  After experiencing many injustices, Mr. Gomez is driven to advocate 
for the Hispanic community within the Inland Empire. He is dedicated to 
promoting quality education for all youth, and encouraging civic 
volunteerism, as well as political and socio-economic involvement. His 
continual service to the Inland Empire has been recognized with over 73 
awards varying from the diocese, congressional, state, city, and other 
civic and nonprofit organizations.
  One of his greatest accomplishments however, is the establishment of 
the Inland Empire Hispanic News in 1987. In honor and celebration of 
the 22 years of publication of the Inland Empire Hispanic News, we 
would like to congratulate Mr. Graciano Gomez for his life long service 
and commitment to the greater Hispanic community. The Inland Empire 
Hispanic News has demonstrated an ability to outreach and bring to 
light the important issues affecting the Hispanic community and by 
doing so has been an inspirational influence of positive change within 
the Inland Empire.

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