[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11954]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF EMILIO VARGAS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 2017

  Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Emilio 
Vargas, Jr., a civil rights activist, local historian, and community 
leader who recently passed away at the age of 83. The Goliad native's 
reach was immense as he helped both his neighbors and Hispanics 
throughout Texas gain recognition at the State Capitol.
  Mr. Vargas joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and served until 1958 
when he was honorably discharged. He also served on the Goliad school 
board and as Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace from 1995 to 2006. Vargas 
was then employed by the Texas Department of State Health Service for 
over 30 years.
  Mr. Vargas made it his mission to educate and empower people in 
communities across the state of Texas. Realizing that only through 
education could Hispanics advance, he set out to influence many lives, 
especially those of Hispanic youth. An avid historian, he worked 
tirelessly to share stories of struggle and the proud traditions of 
those whose heritage he shared. Through his tireless efforts with the 
Ignacio Zaragoza Society, one of the many nonprofits he served during 
his life, Emilio shaped the lives of countless people in his community.
  Emilio Vargas will be missed for his tremendous heart, his sense of 
duty and his unwavering belief that this land is a land for all.
  Mr. Speaker, I honor Mr. Emilio Vargas, Jr. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in carrying on his legacy.

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