Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Coachella Valley's very own, Librado ``Lee'' Espinoza, an icon, a legend in the boxing ring, and an inspiration to us all. From picking peanuts in the fields of Michoacan, Mexico, to training world-renowned boxers on the national stage, Lee is a fighter. The owner of the Coachella Valley Boxing Club, Lee is truly the godfather of boxing in the valley. He has trained world champions and put Coachella on the map for producing some of the best boxers in the game. Born in 1949, in La Piedad, Michoacan, Lee's success stems from his humble beginnings. In his early years, he worked on his father's farm, picking peanuts alongside his grandfather. After the devastating loss of his father, Lee eventually moved to the U.S. with his mother, where they lived in Coachella and, later, Tulare. Ultimately, Lee settled back in Coachella in the Coachella Valley, where he married his wife, June, and worked as a foreman installing irrigation systems. Together, June and Lee had four children: Vince, Luis, Reuben, and Candy. It was his son Reuben whose interest in boxing and winning big trophies opened the door for Lee to become the coach that he is today. Lee took Reuben to the Indio Boys and Girls Club every day after work to train with his coach, Lalo Gutierrez, who, in turn, taught him the ways of coaching. When Lee took over coaching for Lalo, he formed a boxing club that competed successfully against others throughout southern California and Arizona.…”