[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17944]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ADOLFO JESUS VALADEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2012

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the 80th birthday of Adolfo Jesus Valadez.
  Adolfo Jesus Valadez, the son of Mexican immigrants who came to the 
United States fleeing the Mexican Revolution, was born and raised in 
San Antonio, Texas. Adolfo attended local public elementary schools and 
in 1949, graduated from Central Catholic High School. He enrolled in 
the University of Texas at Austin to study business administration and 
pharmacy studies. However, his studies were interrupted when he was 
called to serve his country as part of the post WWII occupation forces. 
Adolfo served as an Army Corps medic in Germany, where he provided 
health care services to American troops and learned to speak German 
fluently.
  When Adolfo returned to the U.S., he completed his studies at the 
University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelor's degree in 
Pharmacy, one of the few Mexican-Americans at that time to receive an 
undergraduate degree. Adolfo moved back to San Antonio and worked as a 
registered pharmacist serving the city's poor in various settings, 
including the Stella Maris Clinic on the west side of the city. 
Eventually, he opened his own small business--Lydia's Prescription 
Pharmacy--an independent pharmacy on San Antonio's south side. Adolfo 
provided high quality pharmacy services to the area residents while 
also mentoring many Mexican-American youth to pursue higher education 
in the health professions.
  For over 30 years, Lydia's Pharmacy served the residents of the south 
side of San Antonio until Adolfo's retirement. During those years, 
Adolfo together with his wife Lydia, raised their family and served 
their community. In 1986, the family suffered the tragic loss of the 
youngest child, Rebecca Christina, ``Becky''. Despite this incredible 
loss, Adolfo and his family, with the love and support of family and 
friends, worked through their grief and continued to thrive. Adolfo and 
Lydia will celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary on January 26, 2013 
and their remaining four children have led successful careers in law, 
health care, and public health. In addition to running a business and 
raising a family, Adolfo earned a second degree in business 
administration; found time to serve as a board member of the St. 
Peter's/St. Joseph's Children's Home; became a member of the Our Lady 
of Grace Knights of Columbus; and traveled with friends and family 
within the U.S., Europe, and Mexico. He is a longtime Spurs fan and 
enjoyed their first of four championships like most San Antonians did, 
by riding through downtown in an impromptu celebration. He is also a 
devoted grandfather to his seven grandchildren.
  Again, please join me in recognizing a true community leader in San 
Antonio on his 80th birthday, Adolfo Jesus Valadez.

                          ____________________