[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E16]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING FORMER JUSTICE OF THE PEACE TERESA VERA PEREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VICENTE GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 10, 2022

  Mr. VICENTE GONZALEZ of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
the life of Mrs. Teresa Vera Perez of Concepcion, Texas, who dedicated 
her life to serving the people of Duval County.
  Mrs. Perez was born on November 25, 1933, to Saturnino Vera and 
Francisca Saenz Vera. At the age of 18, she married Mr. Asildo Lopez 
Perez with whom she shared a life for 57 years. During this time, they 
raised five children together: Elena, Ester, Eloy, and twins Eduardo 
and Ernesto.
  Mrs. Perez first ran for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 in 1977 and 
won, making her the first female Justice of the Peace in Duval County 
history. She served a total of three terms, becoming a lifelong member 
of the Texas Justices of the Peace and Constables Association and 
Chaplain for the South Texas Association of Justices of the Peace and 
Constables. In addition to her time serving as Justice of the Peace, 
Mrs. Perez also worked as a Nurse's Aide at the P&S Hospital, 
previously located in Alice, Texas. Following her 12 years as Justice 
of the Peace, she continued to serve as an Honorable Judge by joining 
couples in matrimony.
  Mrs. Perez was an active member of the Duval County and the 
Concepcion communities throughout her lifetime. She proudly served as a 
Eucharistic Minister and member of the Immaculate Concepcion Catholic 
Church Altar and Rosary Society as well as the Guadalupana and the 
Fiesta Del Rancho Committee. She was also crowned Queen of the Elderly 
Nutrition program Twice. In 1993, at the age of 60 years old, she 
obtained her GED diploma in Alice, Texas. Mrs. Perez passed away on 
January 23, 2014. Although she is no longer with us, her memory remains 
eternal.
  Madam Speaker, I stand here today to acknowledge the countless 
achievements and charitable acts of Mrs. Teresa Vera Perez. She devoted 
her life to the betterment of her community and her legacy will be no 
doubt be remembered by all who knew her. Her general love for life, her 
family, the Lord, and commitment to her neighbors is admirable. May she 
rest in peace.

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