[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7561]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE FERNANDO VEGA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 2013

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a great and 
good man, Fernando Vega, who lived a life of service to his country and 
his community, and who died peacefully at his home at the age of 88, 
surrounded by his loving family.
   Fernando Vega was born in Houston, Texas, on November 20, 1924, and 
died on May 9, 2013 in Redwood City, California. Between the bookmarks 
of birth and death, he accomplished much and served many. He was a 
devoted husband and father, and his marriage in 1948 to his beloved 
Tina was an inspiration to everyone. He proudly served his country in 
the United States Army Air Corps where he received the training that 
led to his lifelong career as an airline mechanic. A transfer led Tina 
and Fernando to Redwood City with their six children in 1960, a move 
that proved fortuitous for them and our entire community.
   Fernando made Redwood City his home and gave it his all. To 
supplement his income for his large family, he opened Vegas Market and 
Grill on Middlefield Road. The market was sold in 1984, but it still 
bears the family's name. He served on the Redwood City Council with 
distinction, and was a member of the Redwood City Elementary School 
District Board of Trustees. He was a Commissioner of the San Mateo 
County Grand Jury and the San Mateo County Civil Service Commission.
   Fernando was rightfully proud of his service with Kiwanis in the 
formation and continued operation of the Redwood City Farmer's Market 
which contributed so much to the needy in the community. He began his 
service with the market in the late '80s and only ended it about five 
years ago when a stroke deprived him of the mobility he needed to help 
out.
   Fernando is survived by his beloved wife Tina, and was predeceased 
by his son David (Pat). His children Oscar (Nada), George (Karen), Eloy 
(Sef), Fernanado (Carol), and Belinda will miss him deeply, as will his 
many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
extraordinary life and accomplishments of Fernando Vega and in 
extolling his life of service to others. I ask my colleagues to also 
join me in extending our most sincere condolences to Fernando Vega's 
family, for their loss is a great one. I'm very proud to have had the 
opportunity to know and work with Fernando and even prouder to have 
called him my friend. There wasn't a finer human being or greater 
patriot. Through his integrity, leadership and decency, he strengthened 
our country and our community in countless ways.

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