Floor Statements

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.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Petra ``Pat'' Pena who is retiring after a 34 year career with the United States Marshals Service.

Throughout her tenure with the Marshals Service, Mrs. Pena worked as a member of the finance department. As a result of her exceptional work, she received the distinguished honor of serving as Administrative Officer Mentor for Guam. Throughout her tenure with the Marshals Service, she displayed leadership, professionalism and dedication.

She ends her career as a public servant, while continuing the chapter of her personal life as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She has been married to her husband Daniel for 31 years, and they have three children and two grandchildren. Please join me in recognizing her career of distinguished service and contribution to our great country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Helen Jacobson, an inspiring woman of service, and a dear friend. Mrs. Jacobson lived to be 104 years old and spent her lifetime helping others.

In addition to living a full life as a beloved family member and friend, she was also an advocate for civil rights and women's equality. Helen Jacobson was involved with UNICEF, the United Negro College Fund, the South Texas Coalition for Juvenile Justice, Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children, and the Cancer Therapy and Research Center, as well as many other organizations. She used her resources to touch many different lives, and during the fight for civil liberties in the 1950s and 60s, she used her power as a San Antonio Library Board Member to ensure that public libraries remained unsegregated.

The commitment and service of Helen Jacobson will affect generations of citizens, and her memory will not be forgotten. She impacted this world, and sought to better the lives of the less fortunate and the downtrodden. Once again, I ask my colleagues to join with me in remembering and recognizing a wonderful woman and the contributions she made to our great nation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the West End Church of God in Christ in my district of San Antonio, Texas as they celebrate 95 years of service to the community.

Throughout the past 95 years, they have worked diligently to provide the local community with spiritual enrichment, guidance and support. For nearly a century, they have endured and succeeded in accomplishing their mission to generations of families.

The service of The West End Church of God in Christ is as important today as it was 95 years ago, and their impact on our community cannot be understated. I would again ask you to help me congratulate The West End Church of God in Christ on their 95th jubilee.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present for the vote on July 17, 2012, I would have voted ``yes'' on the suspension bill to authorize appropriations for the Department of State for fiscal year 2013 (H.R. 6018). Also, had I been present for the vote on July 17, 2012, I would have voted ``yes'' on the Insular Areas Act of 2011 (S. 2009), and had I been present for the vote on July 18, 2012, I would have voted ``yes'' on the Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012 (H.R. 5872).

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Rice University for celebrating 100 years of achievement in private higher education.

Since its foundation, Rice University has left its mark on the advancement of arts and sciences as one of America's premier schools. They have consistently been at the forefront in many areas of medical research, and played a key role in the academic and physical foundation of the Johnson Space Center, turning the dream of manned space flight into a reality.

Be it through elite research or first-rate student education, the contributions of Rice University have undoubtedly reverberated through the many areas of scientific advancement throughout the past 100 years. It is an honor to represent this university in our great State of Texas, and it is an honor to have them represent our state to the country and the world.

Mr. Speaker, today, the Republican majority is actually telling the American people that they're better off--better off--not getting rebates from insurance companies for covering their health care expenses; better off not getting preventive services under Medicare; that the American people getting coverage from comprehensive women's prevention services that they never had before, you're going to be better off not getting them.

This is what people have today in America because of the Affordable Care Act. The majority is telling the American people they're better off not getting protection from getting cut off when certain medical costs are incurred. They're telling the American people you're better off by not getting restrictions removed so that children get coverage despite a preexisting condition; that you're better off not getting health coverage for children up to age 26 on a parent's health insurance policy; and that you're better off for not getting health help for Medicare recipients that fall into the doughnut hole.

The truth is they had over 10 years to come up with an idea, with a proposal, and nothing was ever done to help the American people gain access to affordable quality health care through the private market, because this is what this bill is all about--11 years, actually. And you keep saying that you have an alternative. You're going to repeal and replace, but you haven't come up with one proposal. You only know how to oppose and not propose.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the selfless service of the Memorial Services Detachment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery who celebrated their 20th anniversary on December 17, 2011 of bringing honor and dignity to the burial services of our veterans.

The Memorial Services Detachment is an all volunteer group composed of retired and former military service members who have committed themselves to ensuring that all military veterans interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery receive proper burial honors. The Memorial Services Detachment provides a final gesture of honor to our nation's veterans at no expense to the veterans' families.

The group was founded on December 17, 1991 to address the budget cutbacks that occurred in the late 1980s that caused the Department of Defense to restrict full military burial honors to individuals dying while on active duty and those who were fully retired. Since its inception, the Memorial Services Detachment has ensured that all deceased veterans' families receive the solace and comfort that these burial honors provide.

The Memorial Services Detachment at Fort Sam Houston's continued service to our country has received national recognition from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania which bestowed the group with the George Washington Honor Medal for their adult community volunteer service. The Memorial Services Detachment was also honored as the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County's Volunteer of the Year in the military-community category in 2009.

I would again ask you to join me in congratulating the Memorial Services Detachment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on their 20th anniversary of service to our nation's veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the valiant service of Vietnam War and Vietnam-Era Veterans who are being honored at the ``Welcome Home'' Vietnam Veterans Celebration in San Antonio, Texas.

This celebration is an important opportunity to thank the veterans of the Vietnam War and provide them with the welcoming that many did not receive at the completion of their noble service to our country. It is important and fitting that our nation recognizes the brave service men and women who made profound sacrifices in the Vietnam War including the more than 58,000 Americans who lost their lives and the more than 300,000 who were wounded during the Vietnam War.

The celebration is to be held on March 30, 2012 commemorating the historic withdrawal of United States troops from Vietnam on March 30, 1973. The celebration will recognize veterans in attendance with a presentation of the colors and full military honors.

Throughout American history, our brave men and women have answered the call to protect and defend our democracy. And while our nation may be divided on other issues, we must always stand together in honoring the service and valor of our veterans. I would again ask you to join me in recognizing this celebration for those who honorably served and sacrificed for our country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Bexton Place Apartments in my district in San Antonio. Bexton Place is a member of the Retirement Housing Foundation, and they will join in celebrating the foundation's fifty years of service to the community on March 13, 2012.

The Retirement Housing Foundation is a non-profit organization of 159 communities in 24 States, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing housing and services to more than 17,000 older adults, low-income families, and persons with disabilities.

Throughout the past fifty years the foundation has fostered an environment in which team members work to make life better for thousands of San Antonians. This pinnacle achievement speaks to both the past laurels and future service of Bexton Place. Bexton Place strives to provide all persons with quality, affordable housing so that San Antonio families do not have to sacrifice paying the rent for other basic necessities.

The noble mission of the Retirement Housing Foundation is as important today as it was fifty years ago. Its impact on our communities cannot be overstated. I would again ask you to congratulate Bexton Place and the Retirement Housing Foundation on their fifty years of ensuring that low-income families and individuals have acess to quality housing.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Randy and Shari Pulman of San Antonio on being honored at the 2012 Congregation Agudas Achim's Annual Gala and Honors Evening.

Over the years, they have been shining examples for our community and have left an indelible mark on the well-being and development of countless San Antonians. Shari and Randy have set a high standard of leadership through their dedication to Agudas Achim Congregation and the entire community of San Antonio.

Since 1995, Mr. Pulman has served on the Agudas Achim's Board of Trustees, most recently serving as Vice President-Finance Administration and as Treasurer of Agudas Achim's Endowment Fund Board of Directors. Mr. Pulman's civic engagement is not limited to the Agudas Achim congregation, but includes various leadership roles at Camp Young Judea, the Golden Manor Foundation, and Israel Bonds. Mrs. Pulman's active leadership within the community is evident through her involvement as Vice President of Golden Manor Jewish Senior Services, President of the Campus Board of Directors of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Campus of the San Antonio Jewish Community, and President of the Barshop JCC. Mrs. Pulman was also recognized with the Jewish Federation of San Antonio's Sylvia F. and Harry Sugarman Young Leadership Award in 1998 for her efforts on their Board of Directors. Additionally, Shari and Randy Pulman both hold leadership positions within the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

During the course of just a few years, their tireless support of Israel and the work they have done for Congregation Agudas Achim have been an inspiration to all those around them and a model for generations to follow. I would again ask you to congratulate Shari and Randy Pulman on being honored at the 2012 Congregation Agudas Achim's Annual Gala and Honors evening.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Oak Knoll Villa Apartments in my district in San Antonio. Oak Knoll Villa is a member of the Retirement Housing Foundation, and they will join in celebrating the foundation's 50 years of service to the community on March 13, 2012.

The Retirement Housing Foundation is a non-profit organization of 159 communities in 24 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing housing and services to more than 17,000 older adults, low income families, and persons with disabilities.

Throughout the past 50 years the foundation has fostered an environment in which team members work to make life better for thousands of San Antonians. This pinnacle achievement speaks to both the past laurels and future service of Oak Knoll Villa. Oak Knoll Villa strives to provide all persons with quality, affordable housing so that San Antonio families do not have to sacrifice paying the rent for other basic necessities.

The noble mission of the Retirement Housing Foundation is as important today as it was 50 years ago. Its impact on our communities cannot be understated. I would again ask you to congratulate Oak Knoll Villa and the Retirement Housing Foundation on their 50 years of fostering and ensuring that low-income families and individuals.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the San Antonio Art League and Museum in celebration of their 100th anniversary.

The San Antonio Art League and Museum is the oldest arts organization in the city of San Antonio, Bexar County, and surrounding counties in the State of Texas. The museum was founded by Mrs. Henry Drought, who served as president of the organization for 25-years. Mrs. Henry Drought's mission was to foster knowledge of and interest in art in this area of Texas by means of exhibitions, lectures, and classes. Additionally she firmly believed in the encouragement of local artists in order to create and provide an avenue to display and promote the museum's mission. As a result, the San Antonio Art League and Museum has acquired and preserved more than 400 pieces of art from all across Texas. The museum continues to promote artists from Bexar County and the surrounding areas through its many activities, including promoting talented young art students at a collegiate art exhibition.

Art has always stood as an essential form of expression, communication, and cultural appreciation, and it has been extremely important to the cultural development of our community. I would again ask you to congratulate the San Antonio Art League and Museum for enriching the community of San Antonio for the past 100 years.