[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ASCENSION MATA, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2021

  Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my sincerest 
congratulations to Mr. Ascencion Mata, Sr., who celebrates his 100th 
birthday on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.
  Ascencion Mata, Sr. was born in 1921, in San Benito, Texas, the 
eighth child of the late Manuel and Isidora Mata. Ascension's parents 
instilled in him the values of religious devotion, honesty, resilience, 
and hard work at a young age, and his resilience pushed him to travel 
four miles every day to attend Sebastian Elementary School. While the 
pursuit of knowledge has always been a priority for Ascencion and his 
family, he was only able to receive a second-grade education. Although 
his academic time was cut short, his hardworking mindset propelled him 
forward as he spent his childhood on the farm and in the fields with 
his father to help provide for his family.
  In 1937, when Ascencion was just sixteen years old, his father passed 
away, leaving his mother a widow and sole provider for him and his 
seven siblings. Ascencion continued to work to ensure his family 
persevered.
  Ascencion married the love of his life, Eloise De La Rosa, in 1942. 
They were faithfully married for 53 years until Eloise's passing in 
2003. Over the years, they were blessed with six children: Ascencion 
Mata Jr., Vincente Mata, Guadalupe Mata, Celia Mata Delgado, Roberto 
Mata, and Janie Linda Mata Cantu; seven grandchildren; and eight great-
grandchildren. As doting parents, Ascencion and Eloise created a 
nurturing environment built on a solid faith in their love for God that 
would become the moral foundation for their children, grandchildren, 
and a host of other family members throughout their lives.
  In addition to being a committed family man, Ascencion is also a 
proud Veteran who served his country during World War II. After he was 
drafted, he was assigned to an Army base in Salt Lake City, Utah where 
he spent one month in basic training. He was then assigned to an Army 
base in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he received an additional eight months 
of training. After completion of his training Ascencion was sent to New 
York, where he was preparing to sail overseas to join the Armed Forces 
in Germany. However, on November 9, 1943, Ascencion was honorably 
discharged from the United Stated Army because he did not meet the 
Army's education requirement, which at the time was a sixth-grade 
education level. After he was discharged, Ascencion returned to his 
home in Sebastian, TX where he worked various jobs including managing a 
field crew, working at Alberti's Seafood Packing shed in Harlingen, 
Texas for about 12 years, and at La Feria Water Irrigation District for 
many years until his retirement. During that time, he purchased 20 
acres of land near Santa Rosa, TX, that he and his family used to 
cultivate cotton and sorghum crops.
  Today, Ascencion lives near Sebastian, where he continues to uphold 
the same values of resilience, faith, honesty, and hard work that have 
allowed him to live a long and fulfilling life with his family.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ascencion Mata, Sr., 
on 100 years of life, service, and dedication to his community and 
country, and wish him continued happiness surrounded by loved ones.

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