Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen flight issues, I was unable to vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 238.

Madam Speaker, due to personal obligation, I was unable to be present today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 161.

Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen weather causing flight cancellations, I was unable to be present today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 94.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of Dr. Alfredo Trevino, who passed away on December 25, 2022.

A native of Laredo, Texas, a doctor, a veteran, and a community leader, Dr. Trevino led a remarkable life. After completing medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Dr. Trevino joined the U.S. Air Force as a Major and completed his internship and residency at Lackland Air Force Base, during which time he treated veterans of the Vietnam War.

He moved back to Laredo in 1978 and opened the Trevino Eye Clinic, where he would go on to practice for 43 years. He cared for indigent patients and provided services to local clergy and the Sacred Heart Children's Home. An active member of the Laredo Daybreak Rotary, he attained a perfect attendance record at meetings over 36 years.

Having established a successful medical practice, Dr. Trevino would go on to discover one of the great loves of his life: tennis. He was an accomplished player, and he shared his love of the game with Laredoans of all ages. The City of Laredo honored him in 2011 with ``Doc T Day'' after he became the first Hispanic President of the United States Tennis Association Texas. The Laredo Independent School District and Martin High School named its newly renovated tennis courts after Dr. Trevino and his loving wife and partner of nearly 54 years, Tina. She shares her husband's love for the game and commitment to growing the sport in South Texas.

I consider myself profoundly lucky to have known Dr. Trevino. He touched the lives of countless South Texans, and he will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. While Dr. Trevino is no longer with us, his legacy will live on in all those whose lives he touched.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of Ricardo Molina Sr., who passed away on December 29, 2022.

Mr. Molina leaves behind a giant legacy. A native of Laredo, Texas, he was a tireless advocate for education and young people in South Texas. After joining the United ISD Board of Trustees in 1996, Mr. Molina spearheaded efforts to bolster school security, reduce rates of drug use and dependency, and establish the district's dropout recovery program. He was also an advocate of adult education programs in Webb County, believing that learning is a lifelong endeavor.

Mr. Molina's life is a testament to the value of education and hard work. At different times in his life, he worked in oil fields, cotton fields, and machine shops. He identified most with kids from working- class backgrounds, always fighting to ensure they had the very best opportunities in the classroom and beyond. When UISD opened a brand new, state-of-the-art middle school in August 2022, it was only fitting that the new school bear Mr. Molina's name.

As a pillar of our community, Mr. Molina will be missed dearly. My thoughts are with his loved ones, and I pray that they find comfort in the beauty of their memories with him--and in the knowledge that Mr. Molina touched the lives of so many in our community.

Madam Speaker, it has been more than two months since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died alone in a hospital bed in Tehran.

Two days before her death, Amini had been arrested by the Iranian regime's ``morality police.'' Her crime, in their eyes, was wearing a loose-fitting headscarf and tight-fitting pants. The Iranian regime claims that she died of a heart attack, but we know the truth: the police beat her to death.

The world has a tendency to look away from tragedies like Amini's. Stories like hers fade from the news cycle until they are forgotten or met with indifference. But when the Iranian people take to the streets every day to protest Amini's murder and demand fundamental rights, they make it impossible for the world to avert its gaze. By virtue of their courage, they force the world to bear witness. In the streets, protestors chant the inscription on Amini's tombstone: ``Beloved Mahsa, you will not die. Your name will become a rallying call.'' And her name has become just that.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the brave women of Iran who are fighting for the right to live in freedom and dignity. I rise in support of the men standing alongside them who are demanding political rights and an end to theocratic rule. And I rise to solemnly recognize the terrible cost that the people of Iran are paying as they take to the streets. Security forces have killed hundreds of protestors, firing on them with live ammunition and beating them severely. Those caught up in mass arrests could face the death penalty.

The people of Iran are putting their lives on the line to demand fundamental freedoms. They suffer today in hopes of building a better tomorrow--for themselves, for their families, and for future generations. This is a profoundly noble effort that deserves not just our admiration, but also our support.

Those taking to the streets across Iran should know that we are watching them and that we are praying for them. And members of the Iranian regime should know that when a people truly yearn for freedom, and are willing to give their lives for it, their cause is a flame that will never go out.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Bexar County Judge Nelson W. Wolff and his more than half a century of service to the City of San Antonio and Bexar County. Judge Wolff will step down from his position at the end of this year. I would like to congratulate him on a highly distinguished career and wish him the very best in the next chapter of his life.

Judge Wolff was first elected to public office in 1971 when he won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. He would then be elected to the Texas Senate and the San Antonio City Council before serving as Mayor of San Antonio from 1991 to 1995. He was appointed Bexar County Judge in 2001, a position he would be elected to five times.

Throughout his decades in public service, Judge Wolff has spearheaded efforts to strengthen economic and workforce development, improve public services, invest in public education, and build out critical infrastructure. He helped found our nation's first all-digital public library, established a $1 million fund to spur growth in the local tech sector, and paved the way for the San Antonio Missions to receive a UNESCO designation.

As Bexar County Judge, Judge Wolff has been a tireless advocate for public safety. He has paired strong investments in law enforcement with commonsense criminal justice reforms aimed at helping those with mental health and drug dependency issues.

On behalf of the 28th District of Texas, I would like to congratulate Judge Wolff once again on a well-deserved retirement and thank him for his decades of service. It is an honor to call him not only a colleague, but a friend. I wish Judge Wolff, his wife Tracy, and his six children all the best in the next chapter of his life.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Mr. Richard Perez of San Antonio, Texas.

After 15 years serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Perez will step down from his position at the end of this month. Thanks to Mr. Perez, the Chamber is stronger and more influential than ever. I would like to congratulate him on his many successes and wish him the very best in the next chapter of his life.

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Mr. Perez learned about the importance of small businesses--and the challenges that they face--at

an early age while working for his family's landscaping company. He would go on to serve as Assistant to the City Manager in my hometown of Laredo, Texas and as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Clinton Administration. He then returned home to San Antonio where he would be elected to the City Council and eventually take the reins at the local Chamber.

Under Mr. Perez's tenure, the Chamber successfully advocated for the establishment of Texas A&M University--San Antonio and passage of the Vista Ridge Pipeline project. Mr. Perez also oversaw the design and implementation of a new governance structure and strategic plan for the Chamber. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chamber was not only a powerful advocate for the interests of local businesses, but also a critical resource for businessowners trying to make sense of the new pandemic relief programs established by Congress.

With more than 1,650 members, Mr. Perez has harnessed the power of San Antonio's business community to make the city a friendlier place for entrepreneurs and employers. He has been a tireless advocate for the San Antonio business community, and I have greatly enjoyed working with him over the years.

Once again, I would like to recognize all that Mr. Perez has contributed to the Chamber, to the City of San Antonio, and to the State of Texas. I congratulate him on his work over the past 15 years, and I look forward to seeing what the next chapter of his life holds.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Randy J. Howe on his retirement after 34 years spent protecting our nation's borders. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Mr. Howe for his service to our great nation.

After graduating from Niagara University in 1988, Mr. Howe joined the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in San Diego, California. He went on to work for the newly established U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where he held various leadership positions, including Preclearance Director, Buffalo Area Port Director, Executive Director of Operations at the CBP Headquarters, and eventually Director of Field Operations for the Laredo Field Office.

As a native of Laredo, Texas, and a strong supporter of our law enforcement agencies along the border, I know just how demanding Mr. Howe's job can be. He and his colleagues are on the front lines of the battle against the importation of illicit drugs and human smuggling. His work is also critical to supporting trade and unlocking supply chains across North America.

Mr. Howe is responsible for operation and enforcement activities at eight international ports of entry that span 450 miles in South Texas. He leads over 3,300 dedicated officers across 18 international crossings, eight airports, three rail crossings, two dams, a seaport, and a ferry. He also leads the Machinery Center of Excellence, which manages 37 partner accounts, incorporating 191 importers of records representing some of the nation's largest corporations.

I would also like to recognize Mr. Howe's family. He and his wife, Athina, are celebrating 30 years of marriage. His children have followed in their father's footsteps to serve the public good: his son, Mackenzie, is also a CBP officer, and his daughter, Angelina, is a registered nurse.

On behalf of the 28th District of Texas and on behalf of a grateful nation, I want to congratulate Mr. Howe on his well-deserved retirement and thank him for his decades of service. I wish him the best in the next chapter of his life.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Mayor Pedro Ignacio Saenz, Jr.

After serving the maximum two terms as mayor of my hometown of Laredo, Texas, Mayor Saenz will step down at the end of this year. I would like to congratulate him on his many accomplishments in office and wish him the very best in the next chapter of his life.

A third generation Laredoan, Mayor Saenz is a pillar of our community. He raised his family in Laredo. He built a highly successful law practice there and specialized in oil and gas for 30 years. Mayor Saenz was president of both the South Texas Food Bank and the Laredo Affordable Housing Corporation--and he served for 12 years on the board of Laredo College, including as Board President, where he was instrumental in establishing the South Campus.

As mayor, he was a tireless advocate for the City of Laredo. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Saenz shepherded the city through a public health emergency. He helped the city manage difficult cross-border politics and challenging water issues. He helped lay the groundwork for closer binational cooperation with Nuevo Laredo and for substantial new investments in infrastructure.

Being a mayor is a 24/7 job. After serving two full terms, Mayor Saenz has earned the right to step away and spend more time with his family, including his wife Minerva, his 3 children, and his 5 grandchildren. I congratulate him on his work over the past 8 years, and I look forward to seeing what the next chapter of his life holds.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Orlando Canizales, a former boxing world champion and native son of Laredo, Texas.

Born in Laredo in 1965, Mr. Canizales began boxing at the age of ten at the local Boys and Girls Club. After going 108-12 as an amateur, he turned professional in 1984. He would become one of the world's best fighters in the late 1980s to early 1990s.

In 1988, Mr. Canizales became a world champion after winning the International Boxing Federation bantamweight title, knocking out the defending titlist in the fifteenth round. He would go on to make a division record 16 title defenses. Mr. Canizales continued fighting until 1999, until he decided to hang up his gloves. He retired with a record of 50-5-1 with 37 knockouts.

Mr. Canizales was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009. He gave a rousing speech in which he spoke about the life lessons that boxing had given him. ``Boxing has taught me a lot in life.'' he said. ``That dedication, discipline and determination will pay off in the long run and not to be easily swayed by obstacles and bumps in the road.''

His brother, Gaby, was also a world champion. A boxing gym on Guadalupe Street in my hometown of Laredo now bears both of their names. Today, Mr. Canizales spends much of his days working with young boxers, continuing the South Texas tradition of producing some of America's finest fighters.

On behalf of the 28th District of Texas, I would like to again invite my colleagues to recognize Mr. Canizales, a truly legendary Laredoan, and celebrate all his accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to welcome Samuel Alejandro Garcia Sepulveda, governor of the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, to the House of Representatives.

Nuevo Leon has a significant economic footprint. It's a leader in education and several major industries. It's also home to Monterrey, Mexico's second-largest metropolitan area. But folks back home in Laredo know Nuevo Leon for different reason: it's our neighbor across the border. Governor Garcia has a central role to play both at home and in U.S.-Mexico relations, and I am honored to welcome him here today.

The Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge, which spans from Nuevo Leon to my hometown of Laredo, is a critical artery for North American trade. With this visit, Governor Garcia is strengthening the bond between Nuevo Leon and Laredo, and between the U.S. and Mexico-- not only in the realm of trade, but also security cooperation, healthcare, and more.

At just 34 years old, Governor Garcia is already an accomplished attorney, a former local deputy and senator in Nuevo Leon, and the author of several books. He has a bold vision for his state and for his country. By investing in education, infrastructure, and sustainable growth, Governor Garcia is putting Nuevo Leon on the path toward a more prosperous future.

Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in welcoming Governor Garcia to the House of Representatives. Governor Garcia is a truly committed public servant with a bright future. I look forward to working with him to deepen the ties between our two communities and our two countries.

Madam Speaker, I would like to clarify for any of my colleagues who might be concerned that these three offshore

lease sales provided through the Inflation Reduction Act are somehow being rushed through or will be conducted with insufficient administrative process. That is simply not the case.

These sales were scheduled under the Obama Administration under the 2017-2022 five-year plan. That Interior department subjected the plan to a large programmatic environmental impact statement. They then underwent a multi-sale EIS. These sales then also went through a supplemental EIS. Thus, the idea that any further process should be required is just not credible and that is why the bill requires them to occur by a date certain.

It is in our national interest to do so as quickly as possible so that the energy crisis does not become even worse and so that the fuel and revenue these sales will generate can find their way into our economy sooner than later.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Maria Guadalupe ``Lupita'' Aguilar.

Maria Guadalupe ``Lupita'' Aguilar was born and raised in Laredo, TX. A proud daughter of a WWII Veteran and a farmworker turned seamstress, Lupita was taught about the values of community and service at an early age.

Lupita honorably graduated from Nixon High School and Laredo Community College and made a career in the service industry--working in housing and health care spaces primarily focusing on servicing low- income, Latino families throughout Laredo and Webb County.

The biggest accomplishment of her life has been being a mother of four grown children who are in their late 20's and early 30's: Jorge ``Georgie'' Aguilar, Jaime ``JB'' Aguilar, Lorena Aguilar, and Randy Aguilar. Watching them graduate from college, start a job and form their own families has been a blessing. Guided by her Catholic faith, positive mentality and optimism, Lupita has surmounted many challenges in the past including beating breast cancer twice.

During her free time, Lupita enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and traveling when she gets the opportunity. She and her husband reside in Rio Bravo, TX--just blocks away from the Rio Grande--where they've lived for over 20 years.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Maria Guadalupe ``Lupita'' Aguilar.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Deutch for yielding and for his strong leadership on this issue, and I certainly want to thank my classmate, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, for bringing this bill to the floor, plus all of the Members in a bipartisan way, I thank them so much.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my solidarity with the Cuban people who have exercised their human rights to peacefully demonstrate for their rightful freedoms and their liberty, their libertad. This past July thousands of Cuban citizens took to the streets and in unison, they chanted: libertad, libertad--liberty, liberty.

They protested for freedom. They protested for liberty. They protested for vida--life--and for patria--also country. They wanted a change after more than six decades of authoritarian rule.

Demonstrators were shown waving American flags symbolizing the liberty that they so desperately want. One protester remarked to the press: It felt so good to finally be able to protest in our country. It is only human to feel fear, but that moved to the background because you knew that we were doing the right thing. The Cuban Government reacted to such demonstrations with unjust imprisonment of hundreds of protesters, and, of course, they cut off people's access to the internet as part of the government's crackdown.

In closing, the people of Cuba deserve the right to protest. They have the right to have freedom--libertad--patria y vida.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that we support this legislation and pass this.