Honoring Estella Reyes Naranjo

HONORING ESTELLA REYES NARANJO

Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, there are two things I want to address very briefly this morning.
I rise to pay tribute to Estella Reyes Naranjo, a great citizen of my State of Texas.

I think it is important to recognize contributions such as those of Estella, which are primarily in the area of the education of the children of San Antonio, my hometown, and her 50 years of unselfish service to the city of San Antonio, the State of Texas, and to the United States of America.

Estella has taught for 40 years in Texas public schools and for another 10 years in Catholic schools. Through her dedicated service in the classroom and the community, she has been a positive influence for countless lives, and for thousands of young Texans.

Estella earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville and has served as the president of the Pan American League. During her tenure, the league donated more than $1 million toward a center to assist San Antonio's inner city, and contributed over $250,000 in scholarships administered through The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Estella has been honored with an outstanding service award for her dedication and hard work in the public school system, and has received a leadership award for her many contributions to the Catholic school system. She has also been honored by the International Good Neighbor Council for her work to promote the "Principles of Good-neighborliness" between Mexico and the United States.

As a teacher, a volunteer, and a diligent leader, Estella is an inspiration to her family, her friends, and her community. She is truly an important part of what President Bush calls "the armies of compassion."

I have always believed that patriotism is not just expressed by flying the flag. It is about more than that. Patriotism means we all share a part in something larger than ourselves. In all of our differences, there are some things we all have in common. In all our diversity, each of us still has a bond with our fellow man.

The fact that dedicated individuals, working faithfully in their communities, can accomplish more than any government program is well established, and it is established again in the life that we celebrate today.

Alexis de Tocqueville described it this way:

Countless little people, humble people, throughout American society, expend their efforts in the betterment of the community, blowing on their hands, pitting their small strength against the inhuman elements of life. Unheralded and always inconspicuous, they sense that they are cooperating with a purpose and a spirit that is at the center of creation.

Today I am proud to herald the work of Estella Reyes Naranjo. I know I speak for all the citizens of the great State of Texas when I say that I am grateful for her dedication, her compassion, and her tireless work to build a stronger community and a better world.