[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6151]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING MANUEL PROL ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY

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                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 1, 2015

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Manuel Prol, who will 
turn 100 on April 4, 2015. Manuel is a World War II veteran and 
cherished father of three, grandfather of three, and great-grandfather 
of five.
  Manuel was born on Easter Sunday in Samieira, a tiny village or 
``aldea'' in the northwest corner of Spain in 1915. He was the youngest 
of four children and only son of Agripina Rodino and Antonio Prol. In 
1932, he bade farewell to his mother for the last time and emigrated to 
the United States. Manuel would also not see his three sisters, 
Agripina, Peregrina, and Dolores, again until 1960.
  He was reunited with his father in New York City, where he settled in 
a Spanish-speaking neighborhood around 14th Street. Manuel embraced his 
new home, learning English at Julia Richmond High School in Gramercy 
Park while working at the Roosevelt Hotel.
  In 1941, he married Vicenta Prol and soon after entered the U.S. Army 
Air Force at the outset of World War II. Manuel saw action on three 
continents over the course of the war, honorably serving his country in 
Europe, Africa, and Asia. When he returned home, Manuel and Vicenta 
settled in the Bronx and had three daughters: Pilar, Victoria, and 
Consuelo. Over the years, their family has grown and spread out across 
the country.
  Pilar, their oldest daughter, was a nurse for over forty years. She 
married Charles Sergis in 1964 and had three children: Alicia, Laura, 
and Charles. They also have five grandchildren: Catie, Noah, Matthew, 
Juliana, and Grace. Pilar and Charles live in Redondo Beach, 
California.
  Victoria lives in Bronxville, New York. She worked in Westchester 
County as a high school language teacher for over thirty years.
  Consuelo is married to Richard Liebowitz and lives in New York City 
and Montclair, New Jersey. She retired from the business world after 
thirty-eight years in sales.
  Manuel and Vicenta retired to Southern California in 1982, where they 
lived happily until Vicenta's death in 1997. Manuel then moved to 
Montclair, New Jersey, where he currently lives with Consuelo and 
Richard. He spends winters in Redondo Beach, California with Pilar and 
Charles.
  Next month, Manuel will turn 100 years old--yet shows no signs of 
slowing down. He still writes letters and reads the newspaper every 
day. Manuel attributes his longevity to the Mediterranean diet, a glass 
of red wine every day, and yes, an occasional Rusty Nail, his favorite 
drink.
  I hope all my colleagues will join me in wishing Manuel Prol a happy 
100th birthday, and continued health and happiness to him and to his 
family.

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