[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22681]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MR. PEDRO DEVORA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2009

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Mr. Pedro Devora, whose barbershop business recently 
celebrated 50 years of operations in downtown Floresville, Texas.
  Pedro Devora was born on May 22, 1926 and raised in Tordio, Texas 
where he attended school until the third grade. Mr. Devora worked in 
the area until he joined the U.S. Navy on October 1, 1944 to serve his 
country. While in the Navy, he served during the invasion of Okinawa 
that began on April 1, 1945. During that mission, his ship was hit in 
battle. Mr. Devora would survive a night in the water until he was 
rescued the following morning. During his time in the Navy, his hard 
work ethic gained him several promotions from his superiors. In fact, 
in less than a week he went from working in the laundry section to 
becoming an assistant supervisor, and later supervisor. In 1946, Mr. 
Devora returned to the United States and received an honorable 
discharge.
  Following his time in the Navy, he returned home to Tordio and within 
a year he decided to attend Barber School. While in attendance, Mr. 
Devora married his sweetheart, Maria Flores on November 3, 1947. In 
1948, Mr. Devora received his Barber's License and began work in 
Floresville, Texas.
  Since returning from the Navy, he has been active in several 
political races, such as those of Lyndon Baines Johnson, Harry Truman, 
Gus Garcia, Carlos Cadena, Judge Mike Machado, Congressman Chick Kazen, 
Albert Pena, Judge Esquivel, Pete Tijerina, and almost every Democratic 
President since 1946.
  On August 12th, 1959, he opened a barbershop with his longtime friend 
Raymond Lucio. Mr. Devora and Mr. Lucio spent over 49 years as 
coworkers until Mr. Lucio's passing. The business remains in operation 
to this day and remains a pillar of the Floresville community.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had the time to recognize the 
many accomplishments and service of Mr. Pedro Devora, and I thank you 
for this time.

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