Floor Statements

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, my amendment is a commonsense amendment that ensures no taxpayers dollars will be used to purchase first-class tickets for employees of agencies funded by this bill except in special circumstances as allowed under law.

This is, again, important because it does prohibit unapproved first- class travel and offers a direct method of guidance by referencing the Code of Federal Regulations to prohibit this type of premium travel for Federal employees.

I think the chairman is in agreement with me that this is a way to save taxpayer dollars, and he's in agreement with this amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I want to thank Chairman Price for taking the leadership in making sure that we provide the funding for the border. I certainly want to thank the authorizing chairman, Mr. Bennie Thompson, and all the Members here that have worked so hard, and the ranking member, also, for all the work that he has done.

I live on the border, my family lives on the border, my brother is a sheriff there on the border in Webb County, so I understand what's been happening there on the border for the last 54 years that I have lived there. I would have to say that this would be the largest infusion of resources that the border has ever gotten at one particular time: 1,200 Border Patrol, ICE agents, ATF, FBI, other folks who make sure that we have the right mixture of technology, including two UABs that are so important to put eyes in the sky, and certainly to make sure that we get other communications to do this. This will allow us to make sure that we stop the drugs and make sure that we secure the border. And this is one point that is very important: if we secure the border, then we secure the rest of the United States. This is why this effort is so important.

So, Chairman Price and the ranking member, I thank all of you for the work that you have done. And again, Members, I ask you to support this very important funding for the security of our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Laredo Coca- Cola Bottling Company's 100th year in operation. The Coca-Cola Bottling Company has provided Coca-Cola bottled products to the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas and the Laredo community for 100 years. This bottling company has accomplished a century of service to our community throughout the years.

In 1899, Joseph B. Whitehead and Benjamin F. Thomas convinced The Coca-Cola Company that Coke should be sold in bottles, not just as a fountain drink. A few years later, in 1910, the Laredo Coca-Cola Bottling Company was established by Samuel N. ``Silas'' Johnson with an initial purchase of 51 gallons of syrup from The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, Georgia. The first address for the company was 2202 Montezuma Street. In the early years, bottling equipment was hand and foot- operated, and one hard-working employee could bottle 200 cases in 10 hours of work.

In 1930, Samuel N. Johnson Jr. assumed ownership of the family bottling company and beer distributorship following the death of his father. Following the civic lead of his father, Samuel N. Johnson Jr. believed in the city of Laredo's potential to grow and prosper through innovation and team work.

Samuel N. Johnson Jr. ran the Laredo Coca-Cola Bottling Company until his death in 1962. Under the terms of his will, the Company was held in a trust for two years and subsequently purchased by siblings Betsy Johnson Gill and Samuel N. Johnson, III, in 1964. Lamar Gill, Betsy Johnson Gill's husband, who was from a Coca-Bottling family in Beeville, Texas, took charge of the Company as president and manager; Betsy Johnson Gill served as vice-president; and Sam Johnson III served as president and sole owner of the S.N. Johnson Distributor and secretary-treasurer of the Laredo Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

In 1973, plans were made to relocate the plant to North Laredo, moving the production end of the company in 1974 and the office in 1975 to the Del Mar Industrial Park--where the company still resides at 1402 Industrial Boulevard. On December 15, 1992, the company was sold to Coca-Cola Enterprises, and Tino Villarreal was appointed general manager, a position he still holds today.

Laredo Coca-Cola Bottling Company has a long history of giving back to the community by supporting a variety of organizations and events throughout the area. The Laredo Coca-Cola Bottling Company currently has 98 employees and delivers beverages to more than 2,700 customers in four counties, covering 5,206 square miles. Many of the details of how the bottling business is run have changed greatly over the last century. From one package and one brand to more than 200 brands and 500 packages, the company now offers a portfolio of products that promotes total hydration and an active lifestyle.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have the time to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Laredo Coca-Cola Bottling Company. The Laredo Coca- Cola Bottling Company is celebrating 100 years of service for our community and continuing its mission for South Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of an outstanding citizen of Pearsall, Texas, for his educational contributions to the community.

Mr. Alfonso Obregon recently retired as a public school superintendent with 30 years of experience. He retires with an exceptional background, having earned a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in education administration. Mr. Obregon has dedicated 38 years to education, including 30 years as an accomplished superintendent. He started off in the 1970s teaching elementary and junior high school. He was promoted to superintendent for the Dilley Independent School District. From there he went to Progreso Independent School District, Asherton Independent School District and recently retired from the Charlotte Independent School District.

Throughout his career, he has been one who has served the public and has taught our children the difference between right and wrong.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to have time to recognize Mr. Alfonso Obregon, a great educator for south Texas.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

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

I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Act of 2010. The concept of this bill is simple: Create a lending fund to help small businesses get important capital. This bill will help stabilize our economy and create jobs. And certainly I want to thank the chairwoman from New York and the gentlewoman from Illinois also for the work that they all have been working on.

My particular commonsense amendment is straightforward. My amendment requires that the Secretary take into consideration those areas with high unemployment rates that exceed the national average. This consideration will increase opportunities for small business development in places where it's needed the most. The national unemployment rate is about 9.7, as of last month. There are certain communities suffering at rates severely above the State and national average for unemployment.

Like many counties across the Nation, counties in my congressional district are particularly higher than the national rate. One of my counties, Starr County in south Texas, has a high of 17.3 unemployment rate. Hidalgo County is another one, at an 11.1 unemployment rate. Again, this is not a partisan matter. Areas throughout the country have unemployment rates that exceed the national average.

This is a matter of importance to every worker and family and businessperson. And that's why this bill is good for the backbone of American small businesses, in many ways, the Nation's economic engine. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

At this time I will yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).

Madam Chair, I thank my colleague from Texas, and thank him for the kind words. And I appreciate it. I thank him for the work that he's been doing.

At this time, Madam Chair, I'd certainly just want to ask my colleagues to support this. I'm also a former small businessperson, and I understand how hard capital can be to get to the small businesses. So I would ask Members to support my amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair, for the leadership that both you and Chairman Towns have provided in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and, of course, your staff that has worked so hard on making sure that we get this passed. My staff also has worked very, very hard on this.

On the committee, also, I certainly want to thank Ranking Member Issa for his input and for his amendments also that we accepted and, of course, his staff also for getting this work done.

I certainly want to thank the other stakeholders--GAO, CRS, CAP, OMB, the Blue Dog Coalition, and other folks that have worked to make this into a bipartisan bill.

In particular, I want to point out my friend, Todd Platts, who has been working on this particular bill the last few sessions, building the foundation. And we went and looked at his bill, looked at some of the other things we were working on, and we put it together as a bipartisan bill.

H.R. 2142 creates a results-oriented government; a government that works with the people in a commonsense concept that emphasizes a couple of things: One, increases government accountability while Federal agencies must identify cost-cutting, outcome-based goals that have a direct impact on the American people; shines light on ineffective Federal programs to root out wasteful spending, where they're held accountable where they have to provide those goals every quarter; and more importantly, senior management will be held accountable for this work.

GAO oversight on the use of taxpayers' dollars to slash wasteful spending requires the GAO to perform frequent, detailed evaluations of the agency implementation of this legislation.

And, finally, if I can say this, it will not add to the Federal deficit. As you know, the CBO says that it does not affect the direct spending or revenues. Moreover, discretionary costs will be offset by saving from a ``more effective management of agency-lowered costs.''

Just to conclude, we added some specific language that says, ``Agencies shall fund the reporting requirements of this Act out of the existing budgets and authorized to make any necessary reprogramming of funds.'' So this addresses the issues of Mr. Chaffetz and some other folks, and I think this will be a good bill that we can all support in a bipartisan way.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 60th wedding anniversary of Mr. Raymundo M. Barrera and Mrs. Placida P. Barrera. I congratulate the couple on spending over half a century married and going strong together.

The couple is native to South Texas and has contributed to the community through their careers and service. Raymundo was born in 1926 in Mission, Texas to Dr. Cayetano Barrera and Maria L. Martinez. That same year, Placida Pena was born to Reynaldo Pena and Josefa Ramirez in Guerra, Texas.

Their life together began the day they met in Mission, Texas in 1940 at their young age of 14 years old. As fate would have it, Placida lived with her aunt and was next door neighbors to Raymundo's family. At the start of the World War II, a year later, Placida went back to live with her parents in Jim Hogg County in a community name Guerra or El Colorado Ranch. She graduated from the Rio Grande City High School in 1945. Eight years later, she went back to Mission and reunited with Raymundo. Raymundo had served his country by being recruited into the Army and served in Europe in 1945. After Raymundo and Placida saw each other, Raymundo went back to Delaware where he was stationed. The two corresponded through letters while they were apart.

By March 1950, in one of the many letters exchanged--Raymundo asked Placida to marry him. By April, they were engaged and on June 4, they were married. Throughout the years, the two have been stationed at Laredo Air Force Base, South Korea, Yokota, Japan, and Kansas. By 1969, Sgt. Raymundo Barrera retired from the military and moved to Laredo, Texas. Following his retirement, Raymundo attended colleges in Laredo and received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Placida earned her bachelor's degree in education and taught in Roma, Texas. She taught for 21 years within the United Independent School District, in Laredo, Texas. In 2001, she retired.

Today, Raymundo and Placida are retired in Laredo, Texas. They have been blessed with six children, 20 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren.

I congratulate Raymundo's and Placida's 60th wedding anniversary. They have experienced a great deal together, served the community of South Texas and the nation, and continue going strong jointly.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Edward Van Es, a business leader and entrepreneur who recently passed away. Mr. Van Es served the community of Laredo, Texas greatly through his contributions and grand business sense.

Mr. Van Es was born in Amsterdam, Holland in 1931. During the war, at the young age of ten, he was put on a freighter across the water of Yesselmer to farmlands where he worked. As a young boy, he witnessed the German occupation of Holland and lost two years of school in that time, yet returned home after working for eight months. Eventually, his country recovered and Mr. Van Es was able to return to school and graduate. He also served his country by joining the Dutch Army for two years, as a mechanic on tanks.

By 1953, Mr. Van Es immigrated to the United States where he lived in Los Angeles, California. He was a sports car auto mechanic and worked at a Jaguar dealership, servicing cars for Hollywood stars. He received his Bachelor's from California State College and his Master's from California State University in Long Beach. He became an educator-- teaching high school and after receiving his Master's became a college professor teaching manual arts. While teaching, Mr. Van Es had aspirations to fulfill as an independent franchisee for McDonald's. He became certified for his future business career by attending and graduating from Hamburger University in Oak Brook, Illinois. He developed a franchise in Laredo, Texas where the store's popularity grew and attracted tourists from Mexico and further. The franchise in Laredo broke all time sales in the industry. Thirty seven years later, a total of 16 McDonald's stores opened.

Mr. Van Es became recognized as one of the top McDonald's Owner/ Operators in the corporation and received numerous awards. He served as Board of Director and Advisor to McDonald's Owner Association and was a member of the Ronald McDonald House Children's Charities amongst other organizations. Laredo Chamber of Commerce named him the Business Person of the Year in 2000.

As a prominent rancher and savvy businessman, Mr. Van Es gave back to the community through his dedication and contributions to charitable organizations. His 37-year career not only employed thousands, but also came to be his extended family and a lifetime service for Laredo, Texas. Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize the late Mr. Van Es.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support my amendment to the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.

Many very qualified students can compete for the fellowships and scholarships if they are only made aware of them. This amendment would require the Director of the National Science Foundation to conduct outreach efforts to encourage increased applications from underrepresented groups. It is of utmost importance to give all individuals an opportunity at these programs.

The simple--but crucial--effort to make underrepresented groups a part of the process will serve to create a more diverse and representative workforce in the National Science Foundation's Postdoctoral Research Fellowships.

The challenges our nation faces in this century require that we have a highly-skilled and creative workforce trained in the areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

In the 21st century human advancement is closely linked in STEM fields. It is imperative that we create a broad pipeline of STEM professionals.

Our future leaders will need STEM skills to craft innovative policies on issues of national concern such as transportation, sustainability, healthcare, and national security.

Hispanic enrollment in colleges and universities has more than doubled over the past two decades (2010 University of Southern California study).

Hispanic participation in STEM fields at the higher education level has grown but it has not kept pace with their growth within the general population (USC).

Among Hispanics who enroll in four-year institutions, 36% indicate an intention to major in a STEM field.

I thank the distinguished Chairman for his work on this legislation, and consideration of this amendment.

We can harness this 21st century technology to bring these areas out of 19th century conditions.

Mr. Chairman, I applaud you on this important legislation, and I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Mr. Tom Lamont, a recent inductee into the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Lamont currently owns Lamont Oil & Gas Company, an oil and gas exploration company.

As a native Texan, Mr. Lamont has dedicated his career and services to the community with his expertise and knowledge in business, oil and gas, and entrepreneurial endeavors. From a childhood grounded in education as a top priority and through the teachings of his parents, Mr. Lamont learned at an early age that hard work and commitment was a way of life. Growing up, he moved from Illinois to Alabama and back to Illinois in Chicago where he attended Marion Catholic High School and met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Marianne Leslie. Throughout high school, Lamont played football, earning a scholarship to college. Mr. Lamont graduated from South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City with his BA in Geological Engineering in 1977.

Mr. Lamont began his career as a fresh college graduate landing a field operations position in a division of Baker called Exploration Logging. He then accepted another job working for several small independent oil companies over the next five years in Houston. The years of experience and gained knowledge deemed a promotion in Laredo, Texas as area manager for Texas Drilling Company in 1983. For ten years, Mr. Lamont worked day and night with responsibilities to ensure a stable operation. His work ethic and commitment awarded him a promotion to the company's headquarters in Abilene. By this time, Laredo was home for Lamont--he opened up his consulting company for oil and gas companies and mineral owners. He purchased Howland Surveying Company, which surveyed at that time close to 90 percent of oil and gas wells in Webb and Zapata counties in South Texas. With the help of his wife and ten years of hard work, Lamont brought the company from 4 employees to 50. By 2006, he sold the company to his employees.

While Mr. Lamont never strayed from his career in oil and gas business as current owner of Lamont Oil & Gas, he also took up recent efforts in Laredo, Texas to bring new experiences to the area such as promoting a water park and opening up Laredo's only restaurant, bar and arcade named Hal's Landing. Mr. Lamont is a successful entrepreneur and businessman, hunter, and a family man who has contributed to our community greatly.

I am honored to have had this time to recognize Mr. Tom Lamont, a recent inductee into the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. He has exemplified characteristics of a strong work ethic and business savvy, qualities that earn appreciation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Ms. Imelda Navarro, a recent inductee to the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. Ms. Navarro is currently the Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operation Officer of International Bank of Commerce in Laredo, Texas.

Ms. Navarro has contributed to the community of South Texas and the International Bank

of Commerce-Laredo, which has its parent company as the largest minority-owned bank in the country, also headquartered in Laredo, Texas. At the age of 16, Ms. Navarro joined the IBC family as a young file clerk through a program offered through Laredo's J.W. Nixon High School. Even after completion of the program, Ms. Navarro continued to work for the bank with an extended, committed twenty-nine year career. She earned her degree in Accounting and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration at the Laredo State University.

The financial and business industry in Laredo prospered with the work ethic and dedication of Ms. Navarro. In the 1980s and 1990s, the IBC began to grow substantially and Navarro continued to learn all the facets of personal and commercial banking, including responsibilities of financial accounting, human resources and bank operations. From her young beginnings as a file clerk to her multiple duties as Senior Executive Vice President currently, Ms. Navarro provides a unique and excellent perspective for the banking industry and business community.

Most recently, she was recognized as one of the Top Hispanic Women in the United States in 2009. In April 2005, Hispanic Business Magazine recognized Ms. Navarro as one of its outstanding women leaders and as one of the 100 most influential Hispanic women in the country. Navarro also helps the community with her services through Texas and International non-profit and professional organizations such as being a member of the Mercy Ministries Development Council. She has served as part of the Laredo Business Professional Women's Association and Financial Women International. She was former director of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce and served as President of the TAMIU Alumni.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize Ms. Imelda Navarro inductee to the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. She has shown in her extensive career dedication to the business and financial industry and contributions to the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Mr. Rodney Lewis, a recent inductee to the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Lewis is currently President and Chief Executive Office of Lewis Energy Group, L.P.

Mr. Lewis has played an active and outstanding role in the oil and gas industry in the Webb County area. He has contributed his expertise and knowledge to the business community through his tireless efforts towards maintaining and operating his successful company.

Mr. Lewis was born in San Antonio in 1954. As a native Texan, he earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. from Texas A&M University in Laredo in 1976. Mr. Lewis began his professional career as he supervised field production in South Texas for R.L. Burns Corporation and Stampede Energy of Toronto, Canada. In 1982, he purchased his first well. A year later, Mr. Lewis founded Lewis Energy Group, which became a foremost market leader of South Texas in the exploration and production of gas and oil. Through his hands on experience of over twenty-five years, he has gained a reputation as a drilling, completion, and pipeline entrepreneur. With his savvy business skills and know-how in the industry, he sought to build the company upward, attain a stronghold on the market, and buy out the competition resulting in Lewis Energy Group to experience consistent growth over the years. Currently, the company holds approximately 325 employees with over 1,000 wells with a strong presence internationally, as well. Additionally, with the guidance and leadership of Mr. Lewis, the company has never been subject to any Environmental Protection Agency claims and attains an impressive track record of environmental responsibility.

As a local rancher in Webb and La Salle counties of Texas, Mr. Lewis understands and supports local landowners and the community. He is dedicated to excellence and diligent work ethic, which is synonymous to his business and entrepreneurial endeavors. He is also actively involved in serving on the Board of Directors for the National Air and Space Museum. Currently living in San Antonio with his wife and their four children, Mr. Lewis is an avid aviator and war-bird collector in his spare time.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize Mr. Rodney Lewis, recent inductee to the Laredo Business Hall of Fame. He is greatly appreciated in the gas and oil industry and has shown dedication and exemplary work ethic to contribute to the business community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Ms. Sylvia Bruni, a recent award recipient of the Liberty Bell Award in Webb County of South Texas. Ms. Bruni is currently working in the Child's Advocacy Center to pursue community engagement in the defense of our children reaching over 5,000 children.

Ms. Bruni has played an active and valuable role throughout the community through her diligent education efforts and sharpened insights towards children. She has dedicated her professional career to developing students' minds and is also involved with community outreach.

For seventeen years, Ms. Bruni taught English in the United Independent School District system to gifted and talented students. She had the opportunity to engage with thousands of students over the years, all of which were unique and special to her in diverse ways. Admirably, she confronted many difficulties throughout the years, yet handled all situations with leadership, guidance, and care for her students. She used her expertise in the field to customize her teaching to help students with limited English or problems in school. She was also Program Coordinator, Principal of Salinas Elementary, Director of Curriculum and Instruction in the school system. Additionally, continuing her passion for education, Ms. Bruni worked at Texas A&M International University as Director for Special Programs for seven years with an array of responsibilities--such as, implementing the University's first Summer Children's Workshop, which continues today. Ms. Bruni continued her endeavors working for Laredo Independent School District as Executive Director for Planning and Development. She worked extensively on Laredo ISD's Strategic Planning Program, a professional development program based on best practices and its award winning National Science Foundation Math and Science Initiative. Further, the closing of her pubic school career, she served as Laredo ISD's interim- superintendent.

Throughout the years, Ms. Bruni has been honored and recognized for her work in the community. Recently, she was recognized as Honorary Walk Chair by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Laredo Branch. She was also awarded the Gary G. Jacobs Award for Higher Education by the League of United Latin American Citizen.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to recognize Ms. Bruni, award recipient of the Liberty Bell award. She has been personally invested in the mission of providing life changing experiences for our youth, a strong advocate for children's issues, as well as developing personal relationships with diverse community stakeholders.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Judge Raul Vasquez, a recent award recipient of the Liberty Bell Award in Webb County of South Texas. Judge Vasquez is currently completing his third term as the 111th District Court Judge in Laredo, Texas.

Judge Vasquez is a highly respected and distinguished jurist. He has served the youth of our community and dedicated his sense of justice and fairness to dispose of cases efficiently. His accomplished efforts towards devoting his life to the judiciary have had a great impact and truly benefit the people of South Texas.

As a native Texan, Judge Vasquez was raised in a small historic neighborhood in Laredo. He had a modest upbringing as the sixth child out of seven. In 1972, he graduated from Martin High School and attended Junior College for 2 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Houston in 1979. Soon after, he started his career as an Attorney at Law for the Laredo Legal Aid. In 1981, he became the youngest Justice of the Peace elected in Laredo and served Precinct 1 for 5 years while at the Law Offices of Raul Vasquez. Judge Vasquez was elected Judge of the County Court at Law #1, serving for 12 years. He was also a faculty member for the Texas College for New Judges, where he lectured on issues regarding domestic violence. The end of this year, Judge Vasquez plans on retiring, bringing a close to his professional career of over 28 years of being a judge. His leadership and successful career have truly benefited the community and courtrooms with fairness and justice.

Not only has Judge Vasquez held an esteemed and honorable career, he also devotes much of his time to community organizations for helping troubled youth. His passion for helping the youth led him to be the Founding Member of the Laredo Youth Conference, Webb County Angel Wish, and Children's Coalition. He also served on Advisory Boards for Communities in Schools, SCAN, and Child Advocacy. Judge Vasquez has been a Member of numerous organizations such as the Webb County Court Administration of Judges, State Bar of Texas, Laredo Bar Association, and Webb County Auditor's Department. Throughout the past 20 years, he has been recognized on various honors. He was awarded the LULAC Tejano Achiever Award, Law Day Honorary Chair, and Crime Stopper Alfa Award.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to have had this time to recognize Judge Raul Vasquez on his career and community involvement. He has contributed his time, knowledge, and efforts to the judiciary and to community outreach for our youth.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Delfino Lozano III. Mr. Lozano passed away recently, but will be remembered and honored for his kindness and contributions to the people of South Texas.

Mr. Lozano was born in 1939 in Laredo, Texas, and spent the majority of his life in South Texas. He graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in 1958 and went on to St. Mary's University in San Antonio. Later, he joined the Air Force Reserves. During his time in the Air Force, he was on active duty during the Pueblo crisis for more than a year. Aside from serving his country, he co-founded Med-Loz Lease Service Inc., which is based in Zapata, Texas. He held an active role in the operations of the business, which placed as one of the Nation's top 500 Hispanic-owned businesses in the ``Hispanic Business'' publication. Prior to his co-founding, he worked at the Texas Employment Commission and was also an avid rancher.

While spending time with family and friends, Mr. Lozano was also deeply committed to community volunteer work. His service included the Zapata County Fair Association as past president and director, as well as the Zapata County Little League Organization as president. In 1989, the Lozano family was honored as Grand Marshals of Zapata County Fair Parade. Mr. Lozano's kindness and generosity touched many people in the form of scholarships, financial assistance for home acquisitions, and financial assistance for medical problems.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to have this opportunity to recognize the contributions of Mr. Delfino Lozano III. I thank you for this time.