[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 130 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF SAM FLORES AS THE SEGUIN HISPANIC CHAMBER OF 
                  COMMERCE'S HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR

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                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 1998

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Texas' true 
humanitarians, Seguin City Councilman Sam Flores. On August 29, 1998, 
Councilman Flores was recognized for his dedication to the people of 
his community when he was selected as the Seguin Hispanic Chamber of 
Commerce's Humanitarian of the Year. Councilman Sam Flores's career 
only begins to tell the story of his devotion to his community and the 
people in it.
  Born in San Marcos, Texas, during the midst of the country's worst 
depression, a young Sam Flores learned the value of hard work at an 
early age. As soon as he was old enough to perform manual labor Sam 
began his adult life as a migrant worker, traveling as far north as 
Michigan to work the fields. Although he recognized the value of 
education, Sam dropped out of school during his sophomore year to serve 
his country in the Far East as a member of the U.S. Marines. He served 
in the Marines for six years as a Platoon Sergeant in the Korean War 
and also helped evacuate Americans from Shanghai during the communist 
revolution in China.
  Upon returning home he enrolled at Southwest Texas State Teacher's 
College where he earned his teacher's degree in 1955. In 1959 he earned 
his Master's degree in school administration. It was in 1959 that Sam 
and his wife, Velia, moved to her hometown of Seguin. Sam took a 
position with the Harlandale Independent School District in San 
Antonio. He served the Harlandale ISD for 35 years teaching education 
and special education to elementary and secondary school students. For 
ten years he held the position of Director for Special Education for 
six different school districts. He also served as Principal of the 
Harlandale School District for eleven years. Even after retirement Sam 
stays involved with education by serving as the Attendance Officer for 
Seguin High School.
  Community leadership defines Sam Flores' life. As a member of the 
Seguin City Council for 33 years, Sam championed community improvement. 
He was one of the founders and the President of the Seguin Boys Club. 
He held a leading role in the establishment of the Seguin Housing 
Authority and the agreement to build a new Seguin Post Office. His 
leadership brought about the completion of the Walnut Creek Flood 
project and the paving of 22 miles of Seguin's gravel streets. He has 
also provided leadership in the fight against the discrimination of 
minorities through full integration of the Seguin Independent School 
District and service on a special committee which brought Mexican 
American Studies to Texas Lutheran University. Sam Flores now serves 
the community of Seguin as the Chairman of the ``Seguin Memorial 
Committee,'' a group developed to honor the city's namesake, Juan N. 
Seguin, with a statue in the downtown city park.
  Sam Flores has made tangible and intangible contributions to the city 
of Seguin. All those whose lives he has touched, from his students to 
other council members, can attest to his true humanitarianism. Their 
description of him is more accurate: ``Sam is a soldier for the people 
of his community and state.'' We need more soldiers in our communities 
like Sam Flores.

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