Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Robstown, Texas.

Mr. Speaker, let me thank Chairman Clay and my good friend Mr. Issa for bringing this bill to the floor, and I want today to congratulate and honor the ``Biggest Little Town in Texas.''

Robstown has been ``Celebrating a Century'' this year as the city turns 100 years old. This centennial celebration and resolution are especially important to me because Robstown, a city of about 14,000 people, is my hometown.

I was born and reared and raised there, attended the public schools there, and had my first job as a printer's devil with the local newspaper, the Robstown Record.

Cotton and vegetable farming played an important role in the history and economy of Robstown, named after prominent local leader Robert Driscoll.

Robstown is a town where citizens are deeply committed to public service. We've sent sons and daughters to shape the history of local, State and Federal offices. They have all served in our military. They've distinguished themselves in military services.

We've had county commissioners, sheriffs, district attorneys, district judges, Federal judges, State representatives, and this proud Member of the Congress, who came out from this little town of 14,000 people.

Robstown also has a great athletic tradition. Gene Upshaw, of the National Football League and a great football star, came from this little town of Robstown.

Humberto ``Lefty'' Barrera, bantamweight boxer on the historic 1960 Olympic team who later earned an engineering degree at night school, also called Robstown ``my hometown.''

Kathryn Grandstaff, from Robstown, she married Bing Crosby, who we all know.

Our students also excel in the classroom, including the Robstown High School Cotton Pickers band, and they have achieved much in the fields of athletics and academics.

All year long we have recognized the ``Century of Celebration,'' which included a formal celebration on June 1.

One of the greatest traditions is the annual Cottonfest held in October. This year was the biggest ever event that we've had. We have live music, arts and crafts, a sports competition, cookoffs, contests, carnivals and historical exhibits that provide something for everyone in the community.

We also have so much to look forward to as our town continues to grow. Robstown enters the 21st century at the crossroads of international trade due to its proximity to railroads, interstate highways, seaports and airports. It is the hub in that area.

Robstown will serve as a hub by connecting major railway companies, the Texan-Mexican railway, Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific, with direct links to Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Houston, San Antonio and Laredo.

Robstown is also home to the new county fairgrounds and an entertainment venue.

My hometown is the future home of an inland port, which will be the first such port in the United States, and the future home of an Army storage facility.

And no trip to Robstown would be complete without a good filling yourself up with south Texas' best barbecue at Joe Cotten's. Cotten's is an iconic restaurant where many of you have joined me for lunch in south Texas style. It is where Presidential candidates, athletes, business people, cowboys, riders, astronauts, generals, admirals and other celebrities and thousands of others, they even fly on their helicopters to eat at Joe Cotten's.

Robstown is the best of our communities in south Texas, friendly, family-oriented and proud of their history.

It was in Robstown where my mother taught me my most important lesson: to always serve the community that gave you so many opportunities growing up. To whom much is given, much is expected.

Please join me in honoring Robstown on the city's 100th anniversary, and I join my friends Chairman Clay and Mr. Issa today for bringing this bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 785) recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Robstown, Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Res. 785, which recognizes the 100th anniversary of Robstown, Texas.

H. Res. 785, which was introduced by Representative Solomon P. Ortiz on October 30, 2007, was reported from the oversight committee on November 8, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by 53 Members.

Known as the ``Biggest Little Town in Texas,'' Robstown is known for its international trade, oil and involvement in the agriculture and cotton industries.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for the recognition of the 100th anniversary of this historic town, and I urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time to my friend from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) as he would like to consume.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join with the pride of Robstown, Texas (Mr. Ortiz) and pass H. Res. 785.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri, and I join with him in urging the passage of this important commemorative piece of legislation recognizing, as the gentleman said, the ``Biggest Little Town in Texas,'' on its 100th anniversary.

Certainly Robstown, Texas, located in north central Nueces County, which was established in 1906 by a real estate developer from Iowa, says a great deal about the development of Texas and of the Texas- Mexican railroad connection from the Port of Laredo to the Port of Corpus Christi and along State Highway 44. The sustainability of the small town both before, during and after the Industrial Revolution, throughout a period of development in Texas, took it from a State that was rural in every sense to a State today that is both filled with high-tech and with world headquarters.

Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in urging quick support and ratification of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back.