[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E66-E67]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF TEXAS COMMUNITY LEADER SAM FLORES UPON HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2001

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true public 
servant and long-time colleague, Mr. Sam Flores of Seguin, TX. After 36 
years of working for the Seguin City Council, Mr. Flores retired the 
beginning of this year after devoting half of his life to the council 
and most of his life in the service of others. He is an inspiration for 
us all.
  Mr. Flores was born in San Marcos, TX, during the Roaring Twenties, 
but grew up during the difficult years of the Great Depression. A young 
Flores soon learned the value of hard work as the middle child of seven 
raised during this trying time. As soon as he was physically capable of 
manual labor, Flores was thrust into the life of an adult migrant 
worker, traveling from California to Minnesota as the seasons changed. 
When only 17, he dropped out of school to join the Marines. His six-
year career was distinguished, and included serving as a Platoon 
Sergeant in the Korean War and aiding in the evacuation of Shanghai by 
Americans during the communist revolution in China.
  After finishing his time with the Marines, Flores continued his 
formal education and earned a degree in education from Southwest Texas 
State University in 1955. Four years later Sam Flores had earned his 
Master's degree in school administration, was married to Velia Flores, 
and moved to her hometown of Seguin, TX. For the next 35 years Flores 
would serve the Harlandale ISD. He taught regular and special education 
classes to elementary and secondary school students. He distinguished 
himself as the first Hispanic Principal for the Harlandale ISD. He then 
became the Director for Special Education for six school districts. 
Even after this extensive career, Mr. Flores, knowing the value of 
education, works for the Seguin school district as the Attendance 
Officer.
  Flores did not limit himself to his teaching vocation, but also took 
an active interest in other aspects of the community. Flores helped 
others. And it was both the small and large things that made an impact, 
everything from helping a single mother fill out a college application 
to working for the establishment of the Seguin Housing Authority, from 
assisting an elderly widow with her Social Security to helping 
establish the Seguin Boys Club. We owe

[[Page E67]]

Sam Flores a great deal of gratitude for his work to build a new Seguin 
Post Office, establish the Health Unit Project, and provide the 
leadership needed to complete the Walnut Creek Flood project.
  Sam Flores led the fight against discrimination. In the Sixties he 
helped form the Seguin Biracial Committee, which successfully worked to 
end discrimination in public places. He also helped to end segregation 
in the Seguin Independent School District. Beyond merely ending 
discrimination, Flores worked to expand cultural understanding. Today, 
for example, because of his dedication, Texas Lutheran University now 
has Mexican American Studies program for the benefit of our students.
  The contributions made by Sam Flores to the City of Seguin are felt 
not only by those in direct contact with him, but by all the 
contributions made by the people he touched. His tremendous work and 
accomplishments is inspiring. His example of sincere dedication to 
others is a blueprint for all of us to follow.

                          ____________________