[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 151 (Tuesday, November 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2363-E2364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION OF ORENE SCHWEINLE JORDAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 15, 2005

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Orene 
Schweinle Jordan on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Mrs. Jordan is 
a great example of the determination and dedication the citizens of 
America possessed in striving to improve their lives and the lives of 
their family members during the stressful years of the early 1900's. 
She has seen first-hand this great country develop from the horse-and-
buggy era to the age of Internet.
  Born in a remote area of rural Texas on December 4, 1905 into a 
family of seven children, Mrs. Jordan had limited formal education and 
learned early that hard work and self-improvement were her only avenues 
to a better life. She developed the philosophy that, ``You can do 
anything if you set your mind to it and never quit.'' That philosophy 
has sustained her to age 100 and she has set an example for her 
children and those around her.
  Mrs. Jordan has been an outstanding mother to her children and is the 
recognized force that molded their lives. Her son, Don D. Jordan, 
became Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Houston Lighting & Power 
Company, Houston Industries, and Reliant Energy in which capacity he 
served for 23 years. He also served as the International President of 
the World Energy Council in London, England. Mrs. Jordan's daughter, 
Shirley A. Jordan Flanagan, perhaps made the biggest contribution as 
she energized young lives while serving as an elementary school teacher 
in the public schools of Texas for 35 years.
  Married to W.G. Jordan for 60 years, Mrs. Orene Jordan was always a 
working partner. When the family moved from a small town in south 
Texas, they opened a small grocery store in La Marque, Texas even 
though they

[[Page E2364]]

had no real business experience. Mrs. Jordan put her ``hard work'' 
philosophy into action by working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to make 
her family's business thrive. In 1956, Mr. and Mrs. Jordan sold their 
store and started a cattle ranch in Van Vleck, Texas in Matagorda 
County.
  Mrs. Jordan still lives on the ranch, which she has helped operate 
for the past 49 years. During that time, she has developed as an 
artist, written several short stories, built her own furniture, become 
a recognized horticulturist, been active in her church, and touched the 
lives of numerous people.
  Above all else, Orene Jordan is a patriot. She loves America and has 
never wavered from honesty, personal integrity, respect for the rule of 
law, and consideration of others. She has made the United States of 
America, Texas and Matagorda County a better place, and she is not 
finished yet!

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