79S30395 MDM-D

By:  Gonzalez Toureilles                                          H.R. No. 88 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, A 100th birthday is truly cause for celebration, and 
on March 25, 2006, Manuela Vela of Alice commemorated this 
significant milestone in her life as guest of honor at a fiesta 
attended by her family and friends; and
	WHEREAS, Born on January 28, 1906, in the Realitos community 
in Duval County, Ms. Vela remembers traveling in a horse-drawn 
wagon to the fields to work and that in those days, a quarter paid 
for a dozen eggs, while 50 cents bought a generous allotment of 
fabric; and
	WHEREAS, The oldest of eight children, Ms. Vela enjoyed the 
attention of handsome suitors with whom she attended dances and 
horse races, but she ultimately devoted her time and energy to 
family responsibilities, including caring for her father in his 
later years and managing the family farm; and
	WHEREAS, "Meme" Vela raised a nephew, Lauro Vela, as her son, 
and his four children, Laura Samaniego, Lauro Vela, Jr., Roxanne 
Vela, and Marcy Lopez, as her grandchildren; she credits her 
longevity to her involvement with her grandchildren and 
great-grandchildren; and
	WHEREAS, This determined woman learned to read and write in 
her young adult years, and took pleasure in flower arranging and 
embroidery as well; a resident of Alice since the late 1960s, she 
enjoys relatively good health, despite a penchant for rolling her 
own cigarettes, a habit she picked up from her grandmother at the 
age of 14; and
	WHEREAS, Meme Vela is a woman who has brightened the lives of 
countless people with her love, friendship, and caring nature, and 
it is a pleasure to join her family and friends in celebrating her 
truly special birthday; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby warmly congratulate 
Manuela Vela on the joyous occasion of her 100th birthday and extend 
to her sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Ms. Vela as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.