[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MRS. PLACIDA PENA BARRERA

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                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 7, 2007

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Placida Pena 
Barrera on her reaching the milestone of her 80th birthday. She is one 
of the most inspiring members of the community in the City of Laredo 
and in the State of Texas.
  Mrs. Placida Pena Barrera was born on July 13, 1926, in the City of 
Guerra in the great State of Texas. She moved to Roma, Texas, and 
commuted to Rio Grande City to attend high school, where she graduated 
in 1945. Five years later, she met Raymundo Barrera and together they 
raised six children. She was committed to being the best mother for her 
children.
  With her husband's retirement, she decided to work as a clerk for the 
Laredo Independent School District, while also taking classes at Texas 
A&M International University. Placida graduated from Texas A&M 
International University in 1978, at the age of 52 with a degree in 
teaching.
  Mrs. Barrera has worked consistently to uplift the lives of children 
in Laredo, Texas, through her 22 years of teaching at United 
Independent School District. While there, she established the Laredo 
chapter of the NASA's Young Astronauts program. For her work, she was 
awarded certificates of appreciation. She and her husband were also 
recognized by the Department of Journalism at the University of Texas 
at Austin for their publication of ``U.S. Latinos and Latinas and World 
War Two Oral History.''
  After serving her community as an educator for nearly two decades, 
Mrs. Barrera retired in 2000, and is enjoying her time with her husband 
and their grandchildren. It is because of her work that the youth in 
the community were able to realize their potential to create a new and 
better future for themselves.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had the opportunity to recognize 
the dedication of Mrs. Placida Pena Barrera to her community, and ask 
you to join me in honoring her on her birthday. I thank you for your 
time.

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