{"database": "openregs", "table": "congressional_record", "rows": [["CREC-2026-02-20-pt1-PgE148-2", "2026-02-20", 119, 2, null, null, "HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COLONEL GIL CORONADO", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "HONORING", "E148", "E148", "[{\"name\": \"Joaquin Castro\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "172 Cong. Rec. E148", "Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 34 (Friday, February 20, 2026)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 2026)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E148]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n          HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COLONEL GIL CORONADO\n\n                                 ______\n\n                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO\n\n                                of texas\n\n                    in the house of representatives\n\n                       Friday, February 20, 2026\n\n  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and\nlegacy of Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Gil Coronado, who passed away\non Saturday, February 7, 2026. Known as the ``Padrino'' of Hispanic\nHeritage Month, Colonel Coronado was a champion for our Nation's\nHispanic communities. He is survived by his wife, Mary Helen, his four\nchildren Elaine, Todd, Troy and Troup, three granddaughters and three\ngreat-grandchildren.\n  Born in Corpus Christi, Texas and raised in the Westside barrios of\nSan Antonio, Colonel Coronado's early life was marked by adversity.\nHowever, Colonel Coronado was determined to overcome every obstacle he\nencountered. After dropping out of Lanier High School, Colonel Coronado\ndecided to enlist in the United States Air Force at the age of 16.\nColonel Coronado served our Nation with immeasurable bravery and honor\nas he rose through the ranks. He served in Southeast Asia during the\nVietnam War and completed tours of duty in Germany, Spain and Panama.\nFor his service, he was awarded a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit and\nmany other commendations.\n  In 1958, Colonel Coronado married his wife Mary Helen at Sacred Heart\nChurch in San Antonio. Colonel Coronado and Mrs. Coronado shared a\nremarkable 67 years of marriage together.\n  In 1985, Colonel Coronado was assigned to the Inter-American Defense\nBoard. It was here that he began to work closely with Members of\nCongress to advocate for the expansion of efforts to honor and\ncelebrate the Hispanic contributions to American history. In 1988, his\nefforts proved successful, when Congress passed legislation that turned\nNational Hispanic Week into Hispanic Heritage Month. Now, every year,\nbecause of his tireless advocacy, the United States recognizes and\ndedicates an entire month to celebrate the rich culture and incredible\ncontributions of the Hispanic community.\n  In 1994, he was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the first\nHispanic Director of the Selective Service System. He retired from the\nposition in 2001 and returned to San Antonio where he continued to\nserve and lead the community.\n  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the incredible life and\nlegacy of Colonel Gil Coronado. He served our Nation with the utmost\ndignity and respect and was a champion for our Hispanic Heritage. He\nwill be greatly missed.\n\n                          ____________________"]], "columns": ["granule_id", "date", "congress", "session", "volume", "issue", "title", "chamber", "granule_class", "sub_granule_class", "page_start", "page_end", "speakers", "bills", "citation", "full_text"], "primary_keys": ["granule_id"], "primary_key_values": ["CREC-2026-02-20-pt1-PgE148-2"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 43.679873924702406, "source": "Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/developers/api/v1", "license": "Public Domain (U.S. Government data)", "license_url": "https://www.regulations.gov/faq"}