[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ALFREDO FLORES SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2008

  Mr. GONZALES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Alfredo Flores 
Senior, a constituent of mine who on August 10th will celebrate his 
100th birthday.
  Mr. Flores was born in Muzquiz, a city in the Mexican state of 
Coahuila. Caught in the crossfire of the Mexican Revolution, Flores 
immigrated to the United States when he was just 15 years old. Then a 
young man, he found himself in a strange country with an absent father 
and a mother and sister who relied on him to put food on the table. And 
while the Great Depression greeted him on his 18th birthday, he built a 
business that thrived despite the difficult odds that he faced.
  Today, Alamo Music Center is San Antonio's largest music store and 
has served people across South Central Texas for decades. It has not 
only become an important part of our economy but our community as well.
  Notably, Mr. Flores has always lived up to the responsibility that 
came with his success and stature in the community. He co-founded the 
Westside State Bank that specialized in delivering financial services 
to low-income minorities and has played an integral role in various 
community interest groups across San Antonio.
  Mr. Flores life is a true personification of the American dream. He 
came to this country to realize a better life for him and his family, 
and through hard work he achieved this noble goal and put himself in a 
position where he could give back to his community. For these reasons, 
I'm honored to celebrate his achievements as we approach this milestone 
in his life, and ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Flores a 
Happy 100th Birthday.

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