Charles A. Gonzalez

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of a very special woman, Mary Jessie Gonzalez Roque, known by her friends as ``Susie.'' She was an inspiring community leader, a trusted staff member, and a dear friend who is sadly no longer with us.

As all Representatives know, good staff makes a Member, and they are essential to the operations and effectiveness of Congress. Susie was a valued employee of mine who retired after thirty-three years of dedicated service to the 20th District of Texas.

Susie's parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico before she was born so that they might have a piece of the American dream. They raised Susie, their first born, and her four siblings in San Antonio. Susie exhibited her value of education throughout her elementary, high school, and college careers. She parlayed this love of education and her skill at helping others into a job as a teacher at Burbank High School in San Antonio during the 1970-1971 academic year.

In 1971, Susie obtained a summer job in the District Office of my father, the late U.S. Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez. She was hired full-time to handle casework for the 20th District of Texas and her summer job turned into a thirty-three-year career. Susie expressed pride in working for my father, a notable figure in Texas and U.S. politics. He was celebrated in San Antonio as being a man who gave a voice to those who could not speak for themselves. Susie was vital to my father's efforts in this endeavor because she worked in close contact with people who could not navigate through the often convoluted systems of federal bureaucracies by themselves.

I was blessed to be elected to represent the 20th District of Texas in 1998. Like my father before me, I recognize the value of providing good constituent services to those whom I represent. Therefore, I hired Susie to continue in her casework position so that she could continue to provide important services for constituents. Her many accomplishments led me to promote her to be my District Office Director.

Additionally, Susie was a leader in our community and an incredible advocate for Mexican-American women. She was one of the founding members of the Mexican American Business and Professional Women's Club of San Antonio. Throughout her life she fought to help Mexican-American women achieve equity in the workplace and the community.

In the five and one-half years that Susie worked for me, she proved herself invaluable to me, my staff, and the constituents of the 20th District of Texas. I am sincerely proud to count myself among those who have had the opportunity to know and work with Susie. She was part of the Gonzalez family. She was there not only for the ups and downs of political life, but she also shared in our family's joys and sorrows through the years. Her enduring dedication to serving the 20th Congressional District will continue to set the standard for service to our community. Susie enriched all of our lives and that is why we mourn her today and will greatly miss her tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life of a soldier, an inspiring community leader and a dear friend of mine who is no longer with us, Mr. John de Leon.

John was born in San Antonio, Texas on May 6, 1944. He began his career with the United States Army before going on to serve a long career with the Federal Government. Throughout his career, John was dedicated to community development, civil rights and human rights. As a result of his exceptional work, dedication and professionalism, he received several awards and special recognitions from community organizations and the Federal Government.

Once he retired from the Federal Government, Mr. de Leon went on to serve with the City of Houston, became Chairman of the Harris County Tejano Democrats, and later as Chairman of the U.S. Democrats Abroad in Mexico. Mr. de Leon not only spent his life as a dedicated public servant, but as a loving husband to his dear wife Irene, father, grandfather and dear friend to many. Please join me in recognizing his career of distinguished service and contribution to our great country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 80th birthday of Adolfo Jesus Valadez.

Adolfo Jesus Valadez, the son of Mexican immigrants who came to the United States fleeing the Mexican Revolution, was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Adolfo attended local public elementary schools and in 1949, graduated from Central Catholic High School. He enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin to study business administration and pharmacy studies. However, his studies were interrupted when he was called to serve his country as part of the post WWII occupation forces. Adolfo served as an Army Corp medic in Germany, where he provided health care services to American troops and learned to speak German fluently.

When Adolfo returned to the U.S., he completed his studies at the University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, one of the few Mexican-Americans at that time to receive an undergraduate degree. Adolfo moved back to San Antonio and worked as a registered pharmacist serving the city's poor in various settings, including the Stella Mares Clinic on the west side of the city. Eventually, he opened his own small

business--Lydia's Prescription Pharmacy--an independent pharmacy on San Antonio's south side. Adolfo provided high quality pharmacy services to the area residents while also mentoring many Mexican-American youth to pursue higher education in the health professions.

For over 30 years, Lydia's Pharmacy served the residents of the south side of San Antonio until Adolfo's retirement During those years, Adolfo together with his wife Lydia, raised their family and served their community. In 1986, the family suffered the tragic loss of the youngest child, Rebecca Christina, ``Becky''. Despite this incredible loss, Adolfo and his family, with the love and support of family and friends, worked through their grief and continued to thrive. Adolfo and Lydia will celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary on January 26, 2013 and their remaining four children have led successful careers in law, health care, and public health. In addition to running a business and raising a family, Adolfo earned a second degree in business administration; found time to serve as a board member of the St. Peter's/St. Joseph's Children's Home; became a member of the Our Lady of Grace Knights of Columbus; and traveled with friends and family within the U.S., Europe, and Mexico. He is a longtime Spurs fan and enjoyed their first of four championships like most San Antonians did, by riding through downtown in an impromptu celebration! He is also a devoted grandfather to his seven grandchildren.

Again, please join me in recognizing a true community leader in San Antonio on his 80th birthday, Adolfo Jesus Valadez.