[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 72 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF PETER VALENCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BEN RAY LUJAN

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2012

  Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the career 
achievements of Peter Joseph Valencia, Jr. who recently celebrated his 
70th birthday while in service to the third Congressional District of 
New Mexico. Mr. Valencia was born and raised in Farmington, New Mexico 
and received his B.A. in Economics from Fort Lewis College and his M.A. 
in Business Education from Adams State College. He then served in the 
U.S. Navy in the 1960s on the Flag Allowance Staff of Rear Admiral 
Monroe in San Diego, California.
  After his time in the military, Mr. Valencia worked in Employee 
Relations for El Paso Natural Gas Company in Farmington and was later 
appointed by two New Mexican Governors to serve as the Deputy 
Commissioner for the New Mexico Motor Transportation Department. In 
1981, he returned to Farmington to run his family's business; however, 
when then-U.S. Congressman Tom Udall opened a new district field office 
in Farmington in 1999, Mr. Valencia was a perfect fit for a position 
that he continues to hold to this day.
  Mr. Valencia has devoted his life to public service and is proud to 
be able to continue to serve the people of San Juan County at the age 
of 70. He is a staple of San Juan County and has developed a sterling 
reputation while partnering with the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache 
and neighboring Chapter Houses. As a Field Representative, Mr. Valencia 
has maintained a level of excellence and diligence in helping all 
people of Northwest New Mexico.
  Along with his service to New Mexico's third Congressional District, 
Mr. Valencia is a dedicated family man. He has been married to his wife 
Lynda Valencia, a retired public school teacher and administrator, for 
over 40 years and has three children--DeAnza Sapien, Peter Valencia III 
and Felix Valencia--and a granddaughter, Miranda Sapien.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great appreciation that I ask my colleagues 
to stand with me in thanking Mr. Peter Joseph Valencia for his 
leadership and excellent service to the people of San Juan County, the 
surrounding communities of New Mexico, and this country. Please join me 
today in recognizing his remarkable achievements and wishing him many 
more years of success.

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