H.R. No. 1615
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A 50th wedding anniversary marks a lifetime of love
and shared experiences, and Lionel and Sylvia Pena of Edinburg
celebrated this joyous occasion on August 22, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Both natives of the Rio Grande Valley, Lionel Aron
Pena was born in Elsa on October 16, 1935, and the former Sylvia
Olivia Alamia was born in Edinburg on August 6, 1938; Mr. Pena
joined the National Guard in 1953 and graduated the following year
as valedictorian of Edcouch-Elsa High School, while Mrs. Pena
graduated from Edinburg High School in 1955; they both went on to
attend The University of Texas--Pan American, where she was captain
of the cheerleading squad and he was president of the pre-law
society, and they were united in matrimony in 1958; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pena earned a law degree from The University of
Texas at Austin and cofounded the firm of Pena, McDonald, Prestia,
and Ornelas in Edinburg; a respected local attorney, he has served
such clients as the Edinburg Hospital, the City of Edinburg, and the
Edinburg Consolidated School District; moreover, he has
distinguished himself through his leadership of the Edinburg
Chamber of Commerce, the Edinburg Jaycees, and the Lions Club, and
he served as mayor pro tempore for six years; today, Mr. Pena
continues to contribute to his community as a board member of the
Council for South Texas Economic Progress; he retired from the
National Guard after attaining the rank of sergeant; and
WHEREAS, During her husband's years in law school, Mrs. Pena
worked for the secretary of state and the office of the Texas
comptroller; she was later employed by Mr. Pena's law firm, and
along the way, she resumed her studies at UTPA and earned a master's
degree in education; she subsequently enjoyed a career in academic
counseling, becoming deputy director of the UTPA Upward Bound
program; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Pena have nurtured a fulfilling
marriage that has been made even richer with the addition of 6
children, Lionel Aron, John Eric, Evie, Mark, Jeff, and Louis
Dominic, as well as 25 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren;
when they are not spending time with their loved ones, the couple
enjoy traveling and attending plays among other pastimes; and
WHEREAS, This devoted husband and wife have enjoyed more than
five decades of abiding love and affection for one another, and they
are among an exceptional group of men and women who can claim such a
lasting commitment; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Lionel and Sylvia Pena on their
golden wedding anniversary and their many accomplishments and
extend to them sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Pena as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.
Guillen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1615 was adopted by the House on May
4, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House