[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TO HONOR MR. AND MRS. VEGA FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK IMPROVING THE LIVES 
            AND EDUCATION OF YOUTH IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to 
two outstanding citizens who have improved the lives and education of 
youth in the Hispanic community. For their commitment and dedication, a 
new elementary school will be named in their honor in McKinney, Texas. 
I speak of Jose de Jesus and Maria Luisa Vega, whom I have the distinct 
honor of knowing and representing in Congress.
  Upon arriving in McKinney in 1950, the Vegas realized that most 
immigrant children had little opportunity to succeed in the public 
school systems. Work in the fields seemed a better alternative to the 
difficulties of integrating for these children. However, after visiting 
with parents from the community, the Vegas decided to build a school 
specially to assist the newly migrated children. Through various fund-
raisers, local contributions and assistance from the parents, a school 
was built to help students learn and improve their English skills and 
provided tutoring on various other subjects.
  Mrs. Vega, who graduated from the National University of Mexico with 
a degree in medicine, also opened a clinic in the community and Mr. 
Vega served as a pastor in the local Episcopalian church.
  Years later, the Vegas moved for health reasons to Arizona, where 
Mrs. Vega taught high school for 22 years before retiring. Nonetheless, 
their contributions to the McKinney community have been far from 
forgotten as they continue to be honored and recognized for their work.
  For decades, Mr. and Mrs. Vega have educated and helped to provide 
our underprivileged children with the opportunity to obtain a basic 
education. They truly serve as a model and inspiration to educators 
throughout our nation.

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