[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    TRIBUTE TO MAX AND OLGA VENZOR ON THEIR 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2002

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the sacrament of 
marriage by paying tribute to two of my constituents who will be 
celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary over the upcoming 
Thanksgiving weekend. Margarito and Olga Venzor have been dedicated to 
each other for fifty years and we should all be inspired to know that 
marriage, in this day and age, is very much alive and well. They were 
married in 1952 and never looked back.
  Max and Olga have been examples to their community, church, and 
family, They have been examples of love, dedication, and sacrifice. 
They are the parents to eight wonderful and beautiful children: Danny, 
David, Lionel, Lilly, Rose, Chris, Becky and Bertie. They also have and 
cherish 17 grandchildren. I won't even attempt to name them. I also 
hear that they will be adding another grandchild to their familia in 
the Spring. Max and Olga are also blessed to have two great 
grandchildren. As a new grandfather myself, and also coming from a 
large family, I know what a blessing it is and a true gift from God to 
be surrounded by loved ones.
  One of the things that has remained constant over the past 50 years, 
has been the love and dedication that has been felt and shown between 
Max and Olga. Even when times got tough, as they often did, they were 
able to keep their marriage strong and their commitment to each other 
and their children solid. They sacrificed of themselves for each other 
and truly lived up to their marriage vows. They sacrificed to make sure 
that their kids and each other were educated, and clothed, and fed, and 
happy, and nourished, and safe, and loved. These things, in the grand 
scheme of things, are the most important successes in life. They have 
shared life's joys and tragedies together and have been with each other 
through each other's accomplishments, trials and tribulations. They 
have shared each others aspirations, disappointments, fears, and 
challenges. They have literally grown up together and have beautifully 
grown old with one another. What a wonderful, spiritual blessing.
  I think the place where Max and Olga find themselves as they approach 
their 50th Wedding Anniversary, is the place and the situation where we 
all want to be and what so many married couples aspire to achieve. 
Fifty years of marriage! One of the keys to their success has been 
keeping God at the center of their marriage, relationship, and family. 
God is truly the glue that holds the sacred institution of marriage 
together and Max and Olga are witness to this fact. I know that the 
Catholic Church continues to be a central and important part of their 
lives. In fact, for many years, they have served as Eucharistic lay 
ministers to the family of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, in El Paso, 
Texas.
  When it really comes down to it, there is no greater accomplishment 
in life than to have loved fully, your spouse, your children, your God, 
and your country. Max and Olga have certainly done just that and I 
applaud them on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. I wish them great 
happiness, peace, and joy in the upcoming years.

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