To designate a United States courthouse in Brownsville, Texas, as the "Reynaldo G. Garza and Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse".

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 483, the Garza-Vela United States Courthouse Designation Act, offered by my colleague and my good friend, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz).

This bill pays tribute to two great Americans, Federal Judge Reynaldo Garza and Federal Judge Filemon Vela who were judicial legends in the great State of Texas.

Judge Garza was the Nation's first Mexican American Federal district judge appointed to the Federal bench by President Kennedy in 1961. This outstanding man had done advanced study in the field of law and was a great orator.

Judge Garza served our Nation through the turbulent years of the civil rights movement. His decisions contributed to the changes that opened up many opportunities for minorities.

In 1976 President Carter asked him to serve as the Nation's Attorney General, but he declined because he did not want to leave his beloved south Texas and his service on the Federal bench. He did, however, accept an appointment to the 5th Court of Appeals by President Carter and for many years commuted back and forth between south Texas and the circuit court in New Orleans.

In 1982 he obtained senior status; and even after his retirement, he remained active by filling in on the bench whenever he was needed. He was committed to education, particularly in encouraging literacy; and he was known and highly respected by everyone for the even-handed way in which he dispensed justice.

I served 1 year as foreman of a Federal grand jury which he appointed in his district court in Brownsville, Texas. It was a privilege and a pleasure to work with him and meet in his chamber where I witnessed firsthand the honesty, the integrity, and compassion of this gentleman from south Texas.

His last official act took place from his hospital bed when he officiated the swearing in of his protege, Federal Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa, as the new chairman of the Federal Sentencing Commission.

Judge Vela was nominated to the Federal bench by President Carter in 1980. He became an expert on comparative American and Mexican law. During his tenure, the Federal docket dramatically increased due to the enormous population growth in south Texas. Yet despite the heavy case load, Judge Vela fought to ensure that every person received prompt and fair treatment. He worked tirelessly to design and have built the new courthouse in Brownsville. It is indeed fitting that his name will be on this new Federal courthouse.

Judge Vela, like his good friend Judge Garza, was known for his impeccable integrity and his willingness to mentor young attorneys. He also was passionate about teaching children about the law and the criminal justice system in order to encourage them to make right choices of life. He would bring inmates to school auditorium programs to tell children about the mistakes they had made and the consequences they suffered as a result.

Judge Vela had one of the longest running and most successful radio programs on legal subjects which was broadcast in Spanish to more than 2 million listeners in south Texas and northern Mexico.

He also participated in 220 Spanish radio programs entitled ``Enriquezca Su Vida, Termine Sus Estudios,'' meaning ``enrich your life, complete your studies,'' that focused on encouraging children to stay in school and off drugs.

He was tireless when it came to community involvement and showing compassion for low-income families. I am proud to have called him my second cousin.

He gave countless hours as a mentor and leader to youth programs whether as an attorney for the Cameron County Child Welfare Department, as founder of the Esperanza Home for Boys, or as the Chair of the Board of Rio Grande Marine Institute Home for Youth.

We lost both of these great men last year, but their service to the people of Texas and to this great Nation must not be forgotten.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation that provides a fitting tribute to these two great Americans.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I join with the gentleman from Brownsville, Texas (Mr. Ortiz), in supporting H.R. 483, a bill to name the courthouse in Brownsville, Texas, as the Reynaldo G. Garza-Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse.

Madam Speaker, this bill honors the life and works of two extraordinary Mexican Americans. The first honoree, Judge Reynaldo Garza, was born in Brownsville in 1915. He graduated from local elementary schools as well as Brownsville High School. After graduating from Brownsville Junior College, he attended the University of Texas where he received the combined degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law.

Judge Garza served his country during World War II in the Air Force. After the war he returned to Brownsville to practice law.

In 1961 President Kennedy appointed Judge Garza to the district court for the Southern District of Texas. In 1979 President Carter appointed him to the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. In addition to his judicial duties, Judge Garza has long been interested in education issues.

He served former Governors John Connally and Mark White on commissions to improve the quality of education in Texas. Judge Garza recognized the importance of education in judicial proceedings and his concern for uneducated men at the mercy of unscrupulous people.

Judge Garza was very active in his church and has served the Knights of Columbus in the Brownsville area for many years.

Pope Pius XII twice decorated Judge Garza for his work on behalf of public charities. In 1989 Judge Garza was honored by the University of Texas with a Distinguished Alumnus Award.

His record of public service includes the work with the Rotary Club, the Latin-American Relation Committee in Brownsville, trustee at his law school, advisory council for the Boy Scouts, and he was elected as the city commissioner for the City of Brownsville.

It is fitting and proper to honor Judge Garza's outstanding, rich life, his commitment to excellence and his numerous public contributions.

The second honoree, Madam Speaker, Judge Filemon Vela, was also a native Texan and a veteran of the United States Army. He attended Texas Southmost College and the University of Texas. His law degree is from St. Mary's School of Law in San Antonio.

Judge Vela served as a commissioner of the City of Brownsville. He was a member of the Judges Advisory Committee to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Judge Vela is a former law instructor and an attorney for the Cameron County Child Welfare Department.

His civic activities including being the charter president for the Esperanza Home for Boys and the co-sponsor of the Spanish Radio Program ``Enrich Your Life, Complete Your Studies.'' Judge Vela's other civic activities include membership on the Independent School District Task Force and membership in the general assembly of the Texas Catholic Conference. He is also an active member of the Lions Club.

Judge Vela was nominated by President Carter for the Federal bench and was confirmed by the United States Senate in 1980.

Judge Vela's career is filled with successes, commitment to his family, devotion to his religion and his church,

love for his work and respect for his colleagues. It is most fitting to honor Judge Vela with this designation.

I join the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) in supporting H.R. 483.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz), the author of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 483, a bill to honor two members of the United States Judiciary. The bill would designate the federal courthouse located in Brownsville, Texas as the Reynaldo G. Garza and the Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse. I'd like to recognize the Gentleman from Texas, Congressman Ortiz, for introducing this bill. The Gentleman introduced this same legislation in the 108th Congress, which passed the House last September. Unfortunately, the Other Body did not act on that bill. I am hopeful that with our passage of the bill today, the Senate will take quick action on it.

These two jurists displayed the very finest in legal scholarship. Judges Garza and Vela have contributed several decades of legal excellence to the judicial system of the United States. In addition, both these gentlemen have made substantial contributions, through extensive volunteer efforts, to the well being of their communities.

Judge Reynaldo Garza was appointed by President Kennedy to the federal bench and was the first Hispanic Federal Judge. After serving in the federal district court, Judge Garza was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He also served on the Brownsville Independent School Board, the Texas Educational Standards Committee, and the Select Committee on Higher Education.

When Judge Garza was appointed to the Fifth Circuit, Judge Filemon Vela succeeded him on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Brownsville. Judge Vela had a history of service to the community of South Texas. He worked closely with The Esperanza Home for Boys, and headed numerous local activities to encourage young people to stay in school. He was an active member of the Texas Conference of Churches and was former district Chairman of the Boys Scouts of America.

Judges Garza and Vela were active members in numerous civic organizations including the Texas Bar Association, and the United States Sentencing Commission, Brownsville Rotary Club, the Latin American Relations Committee, and the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce. They were beloved and revered members of the Mexican-American community, the judicial community, and the city of Brownsville.

Judges Garza and Vela were outstanding jurists and good friends. This designation is a fitting tribute to their distinguished public and civic careers of two remarkable Texans and I urge its adoption.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 7, 2005 to conduct a Business Meeting on the following agenda:

Resolutions

To authorize alteration of the James L. King Federal Justice Building in Miami, FL.;

H.R. 483, to designate a United States courthouse in Brownsville, TX, as the ``Reynaldo G. Garza and Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse'';

S. 1140, to designate the State Route 1 Bridge in the State of Delaware as the ``Senator William V. Roth, Jr. Bridge'';

S. 1017 To reauthorize grants for the water resources research and technology institutes established under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984;

S. 260 Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program;

S. 858 NRC Fees/Reform Bill;

S. 865 Price Anderson;

S. 864 Nuclear Security.

The hearing will be held in SD 406.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Wednesday June 8, 2005, at 10 a.m., to hear testimony on ``The Tax Code and Land Conservation: Report on Investigations and Proposals for Reform''.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. to hold a hearing on nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions meet in executive session during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at 9:50 a.m. in SD-430.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on June 8, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. to hold a briefing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Special Committee on Aging be authorized to meet, Wednesday, June 8, 2005 from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. in Dirksen G50 for the purpose of conducting a hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Disaster be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 8, 2005, at 2:30 p.m., on Research and Development to Protect America's Communities from Disaster, in SR-253.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Technology, Innovation, and Competitiveness be authorized to meet on Wednesday, June 8, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. on Current Challenges that Confront American Manufacturers, in SR-253.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 483) to designate a United States courthouse in Brownsville, Texas, as the ``Reynaldo G. Garza and Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse''.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 438, introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz), designates the United States courthouse located in Brownsville, Texas, as the Reynaldo G. Garza and Filemon B. Vela United States courthouse.

This is the second time the Congress has considered this matter, having previously passed identical legislation by voice vote during the 108th Congress.

This legislation honors two men for their service to their country, both inside and out of public service.

Reynaldo Guerra Garza was born in Brownsville, Texas, and spent his lifetime serving that community.

President Kennedy appointed then State Judge Garza to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in 1961. At that time, Judge Garza became the first Mexican American on any U.S. District Court.

In 1979, when Jimmy Carter appointed him to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Garza became the first Mexican American to serve in that position.

Filemon Bartolome Vela was born and raised in Harlingen, Texas. Like Judge Garza, he dedicated his life to South Texas, first as a State judge and then as a Federal judge, taking over the District Court seat vacated by Judge Garza upon his appointment to the Circuit Court of Appeals.

Judge Vela is perhaps best known in the community for his work with schools, encouraging youth education and literacy programs.

This naming is fitting tribute to their dedicated service, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

I would also like to recognize my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz), for his dedication to bringing this legislation to the floor. I thank him for ensuring these men are recognized for their service.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.