Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor Pro-Tem James D. Roberts for his public service to the city of Charlotte, Texas.

A patriotic and dedicated American, Mr. Roberts is no stranger to service and sacrifice for his town and country. A veteran of Vietnam, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 through 1972.

James Roberts is a dedicated public servant, and a lifelong patron of the State of Texas. He has served the City of Charlotte for eleven years, having worked previously as Alderman for 9\1/2\ years.

Working closely with numerous community organizations, Mr. Roberts is active in the Atascosa Finance Committee, the Charlotte FFA, the 4-H Club, and the San Antonio Livestock Show Auction Committee. He also serves his community as a volunteer for the fire department, often working as the acting Fire Marshal.

Having lived in the community for over 28 years, James Roberts and his wife Marilyn are the owners of a local feed store. They live in Charlotte, Texas with their three children Cody, Jerrold, and Cherlyn.

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply proud to have been given this opportunity to recognize the Mayor Pro-Tem of Charlotte, James D. Roberts, for his dedicated public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Superintendent of the San Antonio Independent School District, Dr. Ruben Olivarez, for his contributions to the local community.

Dr. Ruben Olivarez has dedicated his career to educating our youth. In 1970, Dr. Olivarez started his career in education. Having taught at J.T. Brackenridge Elementary School, he is no stranger to the educational needs of our community. He has held a number of important educational posts over the years, including a professorship at the University of Texas at Austin, the title of Principal in the Fort Worth Independent School District, the post of Deputy Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency, and many others.

On January 11, 2000, Dr. Ruben Olivarez was named Superintendent of the San Antonio Independent School District, which has a student population of approximately 57,000. He is currently responsible for the ``Vision 2005 and Beyond'' plan for educational improvement. Dr. Olivarez has helped to provide the guidance our schools need, keeping the needs of our students an important priority.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the Superintendent of the San Antonio Independent School District, Dr. Ruben Olivarez, for his dedicated service to our local schools.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments and initiatives of Judge Marcia S. Weiner, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 of San Antonio, TX.

Judge Marcia Weiner first became a resident of San Antonio in 1956 when her husband, Dr. Bernard K. Weiner, was transferred to Lackland Air Force Base. Since then, Judge Weiner has become an attorney, teacher, active community leader, mother of three daughters, and a grandmother.

Judge Weiner earned a BA degree and lifetime teacher's certificate with honors in 1965,

followed by a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1970 from St. Mary's University. In 1971, Judge Weiner began her legal career with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Judge Weiner continued to work for HUD for over 26 years and retired as Chief Counsel. While a Chief Counsel, Judge Weiner was responsible for all HUD program legal issues throughout a 57 county jurisdiction and was named the most outstanding HUD Chief Counsel in the country.

In January of 2001, Judge Weiner became a Justice of Peace for Precinct 2 of San Antonio, TX. As Justice of Peace, she has continued to improve the Precinct 2, which oversees evictions, small claims, juvenile disorderly conduct cases, misdemeanors and truancy. Judge Weiner strongly believes that juveniles can be redirected through early intervention with the right kind of counseling.

As an active volunteer and leader in the community, Judge Weiner continues to make significant contributions to the advancement of equal opportunity, the elevation of federal women's careers, and to the legal awareness of aging seniors and retired federal employees. Among her many honors and awards, Judge Weiner was recognized as ``Texas Women to Watch'' from 2002 to 2004 by the Business and Professional Women Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize Judge Marcia Weiner for her dedication, commitment, and service to the betterment of society.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the important contributions of Judge Saul Acevedo, of my Congressional District.

Saul Acevedo was born and raised in San Antonio and has been actively involved in the community. He is a product of San Antonio Independent School District and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1981. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Political Science in 1986 from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He then enrolled at Texas Southern University, and in 1989 earned his Law Degree.

Judge Acevedo was elected as Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace in 1998; he works constantly to ensure that the people of his community receive the services they need from local government. He is a credit to his community and a tremendous resource for his county.

During his time in office he has dedicated himself to the youth of the community. He is extremely active in District 19 little league baseball, and is a past league president. There is one role that Judge Saul Acevedo plays in the community that trumps everything; he is married to Marietta and has two beautiful children.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have this opportunity to recognize Judge Saul Acevedo for his dedication and contributions to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Pastor Terrence K. Hayes of St. Paul United Methodist Church for his exceptional career in public service.

Terrence K. Hayes has served our community for over thirty years. He has provided spiritual guidance and community leadership for those who need it the most.

Pastor Hayes has served as the senior pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church since 1996. He is a man who believes in the importance of reaching out and helping those in need. An active and passionate advocate of the people, he has held a number of leadership and community service positions.

Pastor Hayes is the recipient of numerous awards including the Outstanding Young Men of America, the National Fellowship Fund, the Earl L. Harrison Fellowship, the Henry C. Maynard Award of Outstanding Pastoral Potential, and the Who's Who in America College Students from Hampton Institute. He has written numerous publications including Collaborating in Ministry, Fundraising Resources of the United Methodist Church, and a number of short stories and newspaper articles.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize the hard work and important community achievements of Pastor Terrence K. Hayes.

Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Jerry Dailey for his dedication and

service as a Pastor and community leader in San Antonio, Texas.

Dr. Dailey was born in Anderson, Indiana. He attended the public schools of Duval County Florida, and later graduated from Andrew Jackson Senior High School. After high school, Dr. Dailey received a basketball scholarship to study at Bethune-Cookman College. In college, Dr. Dailey was elected Senior Class President and was also a recipient of the Crown Zellerbach Foundation Scholarship to study one year at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1975, he graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Psychology. Dr. Dailey went on to obtain a Masters of Divinity degree in 1979 from Philadelphia's Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Theology degree in 1991 from San Antonio's Guadalupe College. Dr. Dailey also holds many other honorary degrees for his work in divinity.

For the past 28 years, Dr. Dailey has served many communities as a pastor and community leader. Since 1985, Dr. Dailey has been the Pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas. He continues to lead the church today and has led many initiatives in Macedonia's major expansion and renovation efforts. Other community projects of Dr. Dailey's have been establishing the Good Samaritan Food Ministry and Youth Scholarship Fund.

Among his many accolades, Dr. Dailey received the 2000 MLK Distinguished Achievement Award Nomination from the City of San Antonio MLK Commission and was the first African American appointed to the Administrative Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). He is now the newly elected President of the African American Fellowship of the BGCT. His many awards and recognitions attest to the breadth of his service through the years.

Dr. Dailey is married to the former Janice M. Pullen and they are the parents of three daughters named Joy Marie, Jasmine Noelle, and Jeri Nicole. He constantly serves as a role model and inspiration for his congregation and the local community. It honors me today to have the chance to recognize and thank Dr. Dailey for his many years of service and contribution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished public service of San Marcos City Council member Bill Taylor.

In 1971, Bill Taylor earned his Bachelor's Degree in Government, graduating with honors from San Marcos Baptist Academy. He served for 6 years in the Texas Army National Guard, and has been a member of the National Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. Currently, he is a Commercial Marketing Manager for Bill Taylor & Associates, Inc.

Mr. Taylor was elected to the San Marcos City Council in 2002. He has had a tremendously productive career in public service, working on the City's Airport Commission and on the Small Business Development Council. Bill has spent his spare time volunteering for the San Marcos CISD Bond Committee, the Chilympiad Board of Directors, and has been honored with the title of El Jefe.

Bill Taylor has lived a life of enormous service to his community. Since arriving in San Marcos 39 years ago, he has been at the center of volunteer project after volunteer project. Along with his many accomplishments for the people of San Marcos, Bill has 6 children with his wife Debbie.

Mr. Speaker, City Council member Bill Taylor is an exemplary public servant. His work has made San Marcos safer, healthier, more efficient and more prosperous. I am proud to have the chance to thank him here today for all he has done for his fellow Texans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ed Mihalkanin for his nine years of service to the people of San Marcos, Texas.

In addition to serving the City of San Marcos on the Council, Mr. Mihalkanin works at Texas State University as an Associate Professor of Political Science. He has been teaching at Texas State since 1990, and previously taught at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA.

He received a Master's Degree in 1985 and a Ph.D in 1991 from American University in Washington, DC. Mr. Mihalkanin is originally from Hanover Park, Illinois, and he received his undergraduate degree at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

Mr. Mihalkanin was first elected to the Council in 1996, and currently represents the City Council on the Economic Development Council. He has served as Mayor Pro Tempore in 1999 and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem in 2003-2004.

Mr. Mihalkanin is a member of the Downtown Association, the Greater San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, and many other organizations that help to better the San Marcos community as a whole.

Mr. Mihalkanin is a model of hard work and dedication to the city and to his students. By working as project director for the ``Civitas Project,'' Mr. Mihalkanin helped to revive civic life in the communities of Lockhart, San Marcos, and Wimberley, Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had this opportunity to recognize the many achievements of San Marcos City Councilman Ed Mihalkanin.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Judge Keith Baker for his long standing career of service to his country and community.

A Vietnam veteran who had served at Cam Ranh Bay and Chu Lai, Mr. Baker is no stranger to dedicated commitment and sacrifice for his country. During his stay at Chu Lai, Keith Baker worked at the Adjutant 27th Surgical Hospital. He helped to serve our troops where his assistance was greatly needed.

Having started a distinguished law career in the field of law in 1973, Keith Baker has over 30 years experience serving the needs of our citizens. He has also authored numerous articles for the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal. Mr. Baker additionally serves as Trustee to numerous community organizations, including the Texas Military Institute, the Texas Bar Foundation, the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and the San Antonio Manufactures Association.

Judge Baker was first elected in Bexar County as Justice of the Peace in 1982. A dedicated civil servant, Judge Baker works hard for our communities. He specializes in misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases involving our businesses, consumer cases, and tort.

Mr. Speaker, Judge Keith Baker is an exemplary public servant. I am proud to have the opportunity to thank him here today for all he has done for his fellow Texans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important achievements of Hays County Sheriff Don Montague, of my Congressional District.

Don Montague was elected Hays County Sheriff in 1996, and was re- elected in 2000. As a fourth generation Hays County resident, he began his law enforcement career in 1967 when he joined the Highway Patrol and he rose quickly through the ranks of Hays Counties finest. He has served prior posts as a Patrol Officer, Field Deputy, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. Sheriff Montague was instrumental in forming and commanding the Hays County Drug Task Force.

Under Sheriff Montague's administration, the sheriff's department has evolved into a thriving, highly successful, and professional organization with unprecedented personnel and equipment growth. He currently holds a Master Proficiency Certificate and Instructors License with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education.

Sheriff Montague is a man who believes in the value of community involvement and intervention. He is a past director of the Sheriffs Association of Texas, a past President of the Texas Capital Area Law Enforcement Association, a past President Hays County Criminal Justice Association, a member of the Texas Crime Prevention Association, and member of the Texas Narcotics Officers Association. Don Montague is an example of proactive law enforcement in our communities.

Along with his many contributions to the people of Hays County, Sheriff Don Montague has been married to his lovely wife, Harpie, for 36 years and has 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, Sheriff Montague has enriched the community with his vision and I am proud to have this opportunity to thank him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bishop Samuel Edward Iglehart for his unparalleled dedication to his community, church, and family.

It is rare to find many people who have gone through life so humbly helping others. However Bishop Samuel Edward Iglehart is one of them. Ordained at the age of 31, Bishop Iglehart has gained a great familiarity with the people of his church and community. Whether it is a fellow officer of the church or a small child in need of assistance, serving humanity is always a top priority for Bishop Iglehart. This priority can be seen in the everyday mission of his church, the Childless Memorial Church of God in Christ. Future goals and milestones Bishop Iglehart plans to implement for the Memorial Church consist of providing a daycare and Christian Academy for children, a learning center for adults, and a Christian book store.

Memorial Church has not been the only medium for Bishop Iglehart to serve the community. He is a life-time member of the NAACP and a strong supporter of the United Negro College Fund. For his active community involvement, Bishop Iglehart was inducted into the ``Who's Who Society of Outstanding Church Leaders'' in May of 1989.

Besides his commitment to the community Bishop Iglehart dearly loves and is dedicated to his family. His wife Glorious Cosey Iglehart and their six children have a very special bond that can stand the test of time.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be given the time to pay reverence to the lifetime of service of Bishop Samuel Edward Iglehart and his lifetime of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hays County Commissioner Will Conley for his contributions to the community.

Will Conley was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana and then went on to attend high school in Houston, Texas. After graduating from high school, Conley spent one year ranching and outfitting in Uvalde, Texas before attending Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. During his college tenure, Conley was involved in the Student Body Council, South West Texas Ducks Unlimited and Pi Sigma Alpha. Conley graduated in 2000 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Business.

After receiving his bachelor's degree, Will demonstrated his entrepreneurship abilities when he founded Conley Enterprise Incorporated and the environmentally conscious business of Conley Carwash and Detail. It was working with Conley Carwash and Detail that Will's concern for the environment shown through with the company's policy of recycling 85 percent of the water used for operations. Over the years, Conley's companies have received numerous awards for environmental-soundness such as the Water Efficiency Achievement Award.

After producing great results as an entrepreneur, Conley became the youngest elected County Commissioner of Hays County in 2004. As County Commissioner, Conley has promised to work for the improvement of Hays County by focusing on economic development and instilling a more fiscally responsible policy when it comes to the appropriating of tax payer's dollars. During his short time in office, he has already shown the results he has been known for; he has improved road conditions, extended park development and done so much for the better of Hays County.

Mr. Speaker, Will Conley has a rare youthful spirit that is dedicated to improving Hays County's quality of life for its citizens and I feel greatly privileged to recognize his accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alderwoman Hilda Calvillo for her public service to the city of Charlotte, Texas.

Hilda Calvillo was born, raised, and educated in the city of Charlotte. As an active participant in local events, she understands the specific needs of her community.

As the first woman to ever be elected, Mrs. Calvillo has served in her city as Alderwoman since 1999. She spends much of her time working in school functions and focusing on local community projects. Having graduated from local schools, she works passionately to ensure that quality education is kept a priority.

Also working to keep our communities beautiful, Hilda Calvillo has recently been instrumental in the recent building of a Charlotte city park.

Hilda Calvillo lives in Charlotte with her husband. She has three children and two grandchildren. Mrs. Calvillo and her family enjoy sports and spending time with the rest of the community.

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply proud to have this opportunity to recognize Alderwoman Hilda Calvillo of Charlotte for her dedicated public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize alderman Buddy Lee Daughtry for his public service to the city of Charlotte, Texas.

Buddy Lee Daughtry is a hard working alderman in the City of Charlotte. Raised on a small farm, Mr. Daughtry is a family man who continues to help his parents whenever the need arises. While in high school he won numerous awards in science, and later graduated from Charlotte ISD.

Working for the prison system, Buddy Lee Daughtry works tirelessly to keep our streets safe. He has served the city of Charlotte as Alderman for the past eight years and has been involved in numerous local programs. It is important to recognize the contributions of citizens like Buddy Lee Daughtry. Their hard work has vastly improved our local communities.

Buddy Lee Daughtry lives with his wife Karen in Charlotte and enjoys spending time with his family. Their daughter studies at A&M Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply proud to have this opportunity to recognize Alderman Buddy Lee Daughtry of Charlotte for his dedicated public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alderman Paul Garcia for his public service to the city of Charlotte, Texas.

Paul Garcia joined the Army when he was 19 years old. He served throughout Europe for 7 years on various assignments for the United States. During his stay in service, he received the Instructor of the Year Award in 1997 and the Joseph Hibbs Award. He was also awarded of the Kentucky Colonel Award from the Governor of Kentucky. In 1998, he retired after 20 years of service in the military.

Mr. Garcia is currently serving his second term as Alderman Place 1. He works on several committees and fundraisers within the community. Currently Paul Garcia has been playing an active role in the establishment of a park in Charlotte.

Paul Garcia lives in Charlotte with his wife Frances and they have two children together. As a pillar of his local community, he is a route manager for all of San Antonio and the surrounding country.

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply proud to have been given this opportunity to recognize Alderman Paul Garcia of Charlotte for his dedicated public service.