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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A 50th wedding anniversary marks a lifetime of love |
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and shared experiences, and Lionel and Sylvia Pena of Edinburg |
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celebrated this joyous occasion on August 22, 2008; and |
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WHEREAS, Both natives of the Rio Grande Valley, Lionel Aron |
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Pena was born in Elsa on October 16, 1935, and the former Sylvia |
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Olivia Alamia was born in Edinburg on August 6, 1938; Mr. Pena |
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joined the National Guard in 1953 and graduated the following year |
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as valedictorian of Edcouch-Elsa High School, while Mrs. Pena |
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graduated from Edinburg High School in 1955; they both went on to |
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attend The University of Texas--Pan American, where she was captain |
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of the cheerleading squad and he was president of the pre-law |
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society, and they were united in matrimony in 1958; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Pena earned a law degree from The University of |
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Texas at Austin and cofounded the firm of Pena, McDonald, Prestia, |
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and Ornelas in Edinburg; a respected local attorney, he has served |
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such clients as the Edinburg Hospital, the City of Edinburg, and the |
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Edinburg Consolidated School District; moreover, he has |
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distinguished himself through his leadership of the Edinburg |
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Chamber of Commerce, the Edinburg Jaycees, and the Lions Club, and |
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he served as mayor pro tempore for six years; today, Mr. Pena |
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continues to contribute to his community as a board member of the |
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Council for South Texas Economic Progress; he retired from the |
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National Guard after attaining the rank of sergeant; and |
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WHEREAS, During her husband's years in law school, Mrs. Pena |
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worked for the secretary of state and the office of the Texas |
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comptroller; she was later employed by Mr. Pena's law firm, and |
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along the way, she resumed her studies at UTPA and earned a master's |
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degree in education; she subsequently enjoyed a career in academic |
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counseling, becoming deputy director of the UTPA Upward Bound |
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program; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Pena have nurtured a fulfilling |
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marriage that has been made even richer with the addition of 6 |
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children, Lionel Aron, John Eric, Evie, Mark, Jeff, and Louis |
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Dominic, as well as 25 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; |
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when they are not spending time with their loved ones, the couple |
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enjoy traveling and attending plays among other pastimes; and |
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WHEREAS, This devoted husband and wife have enjoyed more than |
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five decades of abiding love and affection for one another, and they |
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are among an exceptional group of men and women who can claim such a |
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lasting commitment; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Lionel and Sylvia Pena on their |
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golden wedding anniversary and their many accomplishments and |
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extend to them sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Pena as an expression of high regard by |
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the Texas House of Representatives. |
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Guillen |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1615 was adopted by the House on May |
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4, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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