H.R. No. 2238

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The 40th birthday of an esteemed Texan is truly cause for celebration, and Monica Peņa of Edinburg is marking that special milestone on May 28, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Born in 1969 in Mission, Mrs. Peņa is the daughter of Emiliano and Lazara Luna Solis; she grew up as part of a large, close-knit family that included her siblings Sylvia, Emiliano Roberto, Lazara, Emiliano Dagoberto, Sandra, Elfego, and Soraida; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Peņa worked in the cotton fields of West Texas alongside the other members of her family and also devoted herself to furthering her education; she graduated from Mission High School in 1987 in the top five percent of her class and enhanced her leadership skills by participating in the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session; she then enrolled at The University of Texas--Pan American, where she studied accounting and business management; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Chicago for two years, she also lived in the Texas communities of McAdoo, Alton, and Austin before settling in Edinburg; she is the mother of two children, Alyssa Victoria and Michael Anthony Peņa, as well as three stepchildren, Adrienne Peņa-Garza, Aron Leonel Peņa III, and John Austin Peņa, and she takes great pride in their achievements; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Peņa has proven her abilities in two different career fields; she spent two decades working for a number of South Texas law firms, including Peņa, McDonald, Prestia & Ornelas, the Law Office of Ricardo A. Garcia, Ellis, Koeneke & Ramirez, the Law Office of Gary Henrichson, and Aaron Peņa & Associates; since 2004, she has devoted her talents to Dress for Success of the Rio Grande Valley, a nonprofit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing them with career development support and professional attire; she initially served as the president of the board of directors and has been the executive director since April 2006; in addition, she took an active role in the Mother's Day Out program at St. Theresa's Catholic Church from August 1996 to June 1997; and

WHEREAS, Highly regarded by all who know her, Monica Peņa has distinguished herself as an accomplished professional and as a loving mother and family member, and she is indeed deserving of recognition for four decades of life well lived; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Monica Peņa on the occasion of her 40th 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 Mrs. Peņa as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

Guillen

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 2238 was adopted by the House on May 25, 2009, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House