[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 129 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1380-E1381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SISTER MARIA LUISA VERA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2013

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
accomplishments, service, and contributions of Sister Maria Luisa Vera, 
as a community leader of Laredo, Texas.
  Sister Maria Luisa Vera was born on October 7, 1941 in Brownsville, 
Texas and is a third generation Mexican-American. For over 20 years she 
resided in Laredo, Texas and has contributed to the community through 
ministry in health care.
  Although she was educated in a public school system, she received 
religious instruction from her mother and the parish catechist. After 
graduating from Brownsville High School in 1960 she decided to continue 
her education by enrolling in Canales School of Vocational Nursing in 
Brownsville, Texas and became a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 1961. 
Within the next two years she joined the Sisters of Mercy and applied 
for membership in 1963.
  By 1970, Sister Maria Luisa Vera received her bachelor's in 
registered nursing and

[[Page E1381]]

served as a clinical supervisor at Mercy Hospital in Brownsville, Texas 
until 1973. She then went on to serve as a staff nurse for another year 
until she went off to Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, Texas to 
receive a second degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It was in 
that same year that she became the Director of In-service Education at 
Mercy Hospital in Laredo, Texas. In 1978 Sister Maria Luisa Vera was 
made Emergency Department Supervisor and served in that position for 
three years. She later became certified in Ministry Training Services, 
focusing on leadership programs in Denver, Colorado in 1981. 
Thereafter, she would spend the next four years serving as Pastoral 
Assistant at the San Martin de Porres Parish in Laredo, Texas. It was 
there that she had the opportunity to understand church from the 
``people in the pews''. During these years she was also able to serve 
as a member in other ministry centers such as the St. Louis Province 
Advisory Board and St. John's Regional Health Center.
  For the next two decades, Sister Maria Luisa Vera would come to 
serve, and actively continues to serve, on many different boards of 
trustees, committees, commissions and networks alike. Included, are the 
presidencies of Sisters of Mercy of St. Louis Regional Community and 
most recently, the Republic of the Rio Grande, trustee of the Mexican 
American Cultural Center, among many others.
  Although ``many of [her] transitions have been challenging and most 
enriching'' she continues to serve the community passionately through 
ministry. Her contributions to Laredo, Texas have demonstrated 
dedication and devotion to the community. Moreover, as the current 
President of Mercy Ministries of Laredo, she is committed to help the 
religious community grow and continue making a difference.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the dedication and 
contributions of Sister Maria Luisa Vera, and I thank you for this 
time.

                          ____________________