[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8707]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MRS. HORTENSIA G. SILVA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2011

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 
91st birthday of teacher and volunteer, Mrs. Hortensia G. Silva. She 
has dedicated her life assisting the south Texas community, educating 
and serving children.
  Mrs. Silva was born on June 5, 1920 on a ranch located on the 
outskirts of Rio Grande City, Texas, to proud parents, Serapio and 
Martha Guerra. After the passing of her father in 1929, she began 
working in a local grocery store to help her mother provide for her 
three younger siblings. During World War II, telegrams were sent to the 
Juan B. Galindo Grocery Store and Mrs. Silva was often charged with 
delivering families the heart-wrenching message that their soldiers had 
fallen. One of the only people with the ability to read or write, Mrs. 
Silva often wrote catalog orders so that neighborhood persons could 
acquire clothing and shoes. She attended school in Rio Grande City and 
graduated in the top ten percent of her class from the city's high 
school in 1939. She continued working in Galindo's grocery store until 
her marriage to Nicolas Silva, Jr. in 1947. The couple had two 
daughters and owned and operated a Texaco Service Station, where she 
served as the bookkeeper.
  Mrs. Silva worked for Rio Grande City Independent School District as 
a teacher's aide in their pre-school department and continued to teach 
once the program was annexed by Headstart. She served on the South 
Texas Development Council until she retired at age 80, after 32 years 
of service. Throughout her career, she volunteered for her 
neighborhood's 4-H Youth Development Organization and frequently acted 
as judge in the program's float and craft competitions. Her dedication 
to children inspired her two daughters to emulate their mother's 
passion and attain masters degrees in Education.
  In addition to her passion for children, Mrs. Silva was an avid 
arrowhead hunter--a passion her husband and children all enjoyed. The 
family has maintained, arguably, the largest personal collection in 
Texas, which was exhibited in the family's business. She is a faithful 
member of Immaculate Conception Church, and continues to dedicate her 
time to children, including her 4 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 
and others in her community. She is the beloved matriarch of her family 
and is sought for advice and guidance to her friends, family, and 
former students.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to 
recognize the extraordinary commitment to education and the community 
exhibited by Mrs. Hortensia G. Silva, and I wish her the happiest of 
birthdays.

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