[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2302]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO GAVINA GAUDARRAMA

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2012

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Mrs. 
Gavina Guadarrama on her 101st birthday. Mrs. Guadarrama has been 
fortunate that God has graced her with good health and her full 
faculties to reach this wonderful centennial.
   Mrs. Guadarrama was born in Hato Tejas, Puerto Rico on February 19, 
1911 as the eldest daughter of Jose and Victoria Acevedo. Raised in a 
household of 10 siblings, many of the responsibilities fell upon her as 
her parents worked. Those siblings still alive tell stories of how 
special she made each one of them feel with the little she had to 
share.
   Mrs. Guadarrama would marry her husband Juan Guadarrama at the age 
of 29 and begin a life together that would span close to 50 years. They 
had two lovely daughters--Maria and Honoria--and built a lovely house 
with a full veranda in their hometown. Years later due to the economy, 
they would move to Brooklyn, New York where she gave birth to her 
youngest daughter Rosie. Mrs. Guadarrama would remain in Brooklyn for 
the rest of her life as she raised and schooled her children.
   Mrs. Guadarrama had a true skill for sewing and had always dreamed 
of being a fashion designer. She created patterns from brown bags and 
made designer dresses for herself and her daughters--always receiving 
high praise and recognition for her talents. Most of her career was as 
a homemaker, caring for her husband, children, and seven grandchildren.
   In 1988, Mrs. Guadarrama lost the love of her life, Juan, to lung 
cancer. They had a loving relationship that spanned nearly half a 
century. Even with the loss of her husband, Mrs. Guadarrama continues 
to maintain the strong familial bonds that have spanned four 
generations. Mrs. Guadarrama is blessed to have her family and the 
gracious home attendants that care for her with love and respect.
   Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mrs. Guadarrama for her 
extraordinary strength as the anchor of her family and on the 
celebration of her 101st birthday.

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