Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedication of Harlandale Independent School District Board Member Tomas Uresti, of my Congressional District for a lifetime of distinguished public service.

Tomas Uresti is a long time Harlandale resident, and a former school employee. He has proudly served the Board of Trustees since 2002, and currently serves as Secretary of the Board. Mr. Uresti is a committed servant to the community of Harlandale, and has served as Board President, Building Committee Member, and Policy Committee Member.

Over the last 25 years he has committed his time to coaching the students of the community in softball, basketball, and baseball. He has served as a mentor at Gillette Elementary School, Kingsborough Middle School, and Harlandale High School.

Along with his many accomplishments to the people of Harlandale Independent School District, Tomas Uresti has six children and one granddaughter with his wife Rosemary, three of which are graduates of Harlandale High School.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have had this opportunity to honor Tomas Uresti for his hard work and contributions to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize retired Sergeant Major Benito V. Guerrero and his many years of service in our United States Army.

Mr. Guerrero was born north of New Braunfels, Texas on April 3, 1935. He began his military career very early as the Advisory President of his Junior ROTC Program at Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas.

Upon graduating high school, Guerrero joined the army in 1956. By 1959 Mr. Guerrero's airborne unit was deployed to Germany and became part of the 8th Infantry Division. Because Mr. Guerrero graduated in the top ten percent of his class at the 7th U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy, he was selected to attend the Federal Republic of Germany Airborne School in 1962.

Throughout his many years of service Mr. Guerrero has served all over the world and has received such awards as the Purple Heart with 1st Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Award, the National Defense Medal, and the Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer Award, just to name a few.

Retired Sergeant Major Benito V. Guerrero retired from the United States Army after over 30 years of honorable service to our Country. He is the epitome of dedication and professionalism.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had this opportunity to recognize the many achievements and service of Retired Sergeant Major Benito V. Guerrero.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Texas State Representative Tracy King for his many accomplishments in business and in government.

Mr. King was born in Baytown, Texas, in 1960. After graduating from Carrizo Springs High School, he attended Southwest Texas Junior College for a year, and then transferred to Texas A&M University, where he completed his B.S. in Agricultural Engineering.

Upon his graduation, Representative King began working at the Beltone Hearing Aid Center in San Antonio. He moved up quickly, and was responsible for opening the branch office in Uvalde. In 1987, he became owner of the local Beltone Hearing Aid Center, serving 16 counties in Southwest Texas. He has been active in a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Kiwanis Club and the first Methodist Church, and he is a former president of the Texas Hearing Aid Association.

Tracy King was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1994, and is currently serving his fifth term. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and is Chairman of Budget and Oversight for the House Regulation Committee.

Mr. Speaker, the life of Tracy King is an example of what hard work and responsible service can accomplish, and I am proud to have the opportunity to recognize him here.

Mr. Speaker, rise today to honor the contributions of State Representative Yvonne Toureilles of my Congressional District.

Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles was born and raised in Texas. Her father worked as a truck driver while studying to become a pharmacist. With a family on the way, he helped Yvonne's mother finish her degree and become a teacher. Yvonne's parents did more than just tell her that education brings opportunity, they showed her.

She aimed high and graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Later, she enrolled and received a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law.

After earning her law degree, Yvonne put her education to work for the State of Texas--first learning the process as a researcher at the Texas House of Representatives, then defending Department of Public Safety troopers for several years as an Assistant Attorney General. Yvonne also served as Legal Counsel for the Texas Workforce Commission.

Yvonne has served as Treasurer and Vice-President of the Coastal Bend Bar Association and is a member of the Coastal Bend Women Lawyers Association.

Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles then came home to South Texas to raise her family. After marrying her high school sweetheart, Marc Toureilles, at the Saint Theresa Catholic Church in Premont, they gave birth to their first child, Genevieve, in Alice, Texas. Yvonne now lives and works in Alice where her practice primarily consists of family law.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have this opportunity to recognize State Representative Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Hays County Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe for her accomplishments in public service.

Ms. Ingalsbe comes from a family with a tradition of public service-- her father was also a Hays County Commissioner. She is a lifelong resident of San Marcos, and has the distinction of being the first female commissioner in Hays County history.

Ms. Ingalsbe began her career in service as a Deputy Constable after graduating from the Travis County Sheriff's Academy. She has worked tirelessly as commissioner to improve the quality of life in Hays County. She has been especially involved in the issue of health care. She directed all of the county's tobacco settlement funds toward public health, permitting Hays County to build one of the most comprehensive and advanced public health facilities in the State.

Commissioner Ingalsbe continues to give of her time and energy to make the San Marcos area a better place to live. She is a member of a long list of community organizations, including San Marcos EMS, the Hays/Caldwell County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and the San Marcos Area Food Bank. Her commitment to her fellow citizens is laudable.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had this opportunity to recognize the many achievements of Hays County Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Constable Jimmy Willborn for his exceptional career in law enforcement.

Jimmy Willborn has served in law enforcement for more than 40 years. He holds a Master Peace Officers License, and for 31 years, he worked to keep his fellow citizens safe as a member of the San Antonio Police Department.

During his career, he has been a consistent advocate for better law enforcement. He is the founder of the Blue Santa program, and the former Director of the Texas Narcotics Control Program. He helped to build connections with other law enforcement agencies as the Secretary/ Treasurer of CLEAT, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas. He put his expertise to work as a developer of the National and State Control Policy for Drug and Violent Crimes, in 1994 and 1995.

Jimmy Willborn currently serves as Constable for Precinct 2 of Bexar County, Texas. He also works as a lobbyist for the South West Texas Constable's and Justice of the Peace Association, attempting to help legislators craft bills that will strengthen the Texas Law enforcement community. He is currently lobbying in support of bills that will help to keep Texas' children safe by creating reduced-speed school zones around high schools.

Mr. Speaker, Constable Jimmy Willborn is a dedicated guardian for the people of Bexar County, and his community is safer and stronger as a result of his presence. I am proud to have the opportunity to recognize his service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert Puente for his distinguished career in public service.

Robert Puente is currently serving his eighth term in the Texas Legislature. He is Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee and serves on the Local Ways and Means Committee. Mr. Puente is especially involved in ensuring that Texas always has an adequate water supply; he is co-chair of the Study Commission for Water on Environmental Flows, and is a member of the Texas Water Advisory Council.

Mr. Puente is a proud product of the Texas higher educational system. He graduated from St. Mary's University in San Antonio with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, and he received his Doctorate in Jurisprudence from the University of Texas Law School in 1982.

Included among Mr. Puente's many legislative accomplishments are his work on the passage of the Edwards Aquifer Authority legislation and the establishment of the Aquifer Authority's elected board, and his support for SB1, which implemented a comprehensive water plan for the state.

Representative Puente continues to live in San Antonio with his wife, Carmen Puente, and his three children. In addition to his legislative activities, he finds the time to participate in a number of different community organizations.

Mr. Speaker, Representative Robert Puente's farsighted legislative work has helped secure the future of San Antonio and our great state of Texas, and I am proud to have the opportunity to recognize him here.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the many accomplishments of Texas State Senator Ken Armbrister, of my Congressional District.

Ken Armbrister began his public service career in law enforcement. After graduating from Sam Houston State University, he attended the FBI National Academy. He served as a police officer for 14 years, and rose to the rank of Captain and Director of the Victoria Regional Police Academy. He was honored with the Defender of the Peace award by the Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice, and was twice named a Top Ten Crime Fighter by the Greater Dallas Crime Commission.

Mr. Armbrister was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1983, and to the Texas Senate in 1987. He served as President Pro Tempore, as acting governor, and was honored as one of the Best Legislators in Texas. He currently serves on the Senate Committees on Business and Commerce, Government Organization, and State Affairs, and is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources. He continues to work at the forefront of critical legislation, and authored the landmark legislation that established the Edwards Aquifer Authority that provided for the water needs of a 26 county area of South Texas.

Ken Armbrister repaid the trust of the people of Texas with a lifetime of dedicated and effective public service. He is an inspiration to the people of the community, of what and show's man's commitment and energy can accomplish.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to recognize State Senator Ken Armbrister.

Mr. Speaker rise to recognize State Representative Carlos I. Uresti for a lifetime of distinguished public service.

Representative Uresti is a native of San Antonio, and a graduate of McCollum High School. He continued his education by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Teacher's Certificate from Saint Mary's University. After graduation he served four years in the United States Marine Corps, where he was awarded the Naval Achievement Medal. When his service to the Marines was over he returned to San Antonio and enrolled at Saint Mary's school of Law, where he received his law degree in 1992. He is currently is a partner at the Law Offices of Gonzales Hoblit & Ferguson.

In June 1997 Carlos Uresti was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He honorably serves as Chairman of the Committee of Human Services, and as a member on the Committee on Elections and Select Committee on Healthcare Expenditures. As a former Marine, he is proud to serve as a member of the Texas House Veterans Coalition and the United States Marine Corps League.

During his time in office, Representative Carlos Uresti fought to prevent child abuse and neglect. He was instrumental in the creation of Bexar County's Blue Ribbon Task Force, a coalition that brings community members together to fight the cause against child abuse, and is a member of numerous organizations that help educate our youth.

Mr. Speaker, Representative Carlos I. Uresti is a credit to his community and I am honored to have had this opportunity to recognize the many achievements of this great public servant.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Texas State Representative Edmund Kuempel of my Congressional District for his exceptional career in public service.

Mr. Kuempel was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Business from Texas Lutheran College in Seguin. He was first elected to the Texas State Legislature in 1983, and is currently the Chairman of the House Administration Committee.

He has received numerous awards for his legislative work, including the Man of the Year Award from the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, the Career Achievement Award from the Texas Chamber of Commerce, the Leader of Excellence Award from the Free Market Committee, and the Texas Chamber of Commerce Legislative Leadership Award.

Edmund Kuempel continues to serve the people of Wilson, Gonzales, and Guadalupe Counties with his hard work and dedication. He is a credit to the Texas State Legislature, and his dedication to his state and country are admirable.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize the many achievements of State Representative Edmund Kuempel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Representative Ryan Guillen for his commitment to building a better future for South Texas.

Ryan Guillen is a native of Starr County, with deep roots in the Texas business community. Before entering public service, he worked as a commodities trader, a rancher, a teacher, and an independent small businessman. This experience helped to shape his priorities: in the legislature, he acted to help teachers, firefighters and policemen with low interest loans, authored a bill to lower taxes for the disabled and elderly, and passed legislation to reform government in his county.

Representative Guillen was elected to the Texas House in November, 2002, and quickly distinguished himself. He was named Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Freshman Democratic Caucus of the Texas House of Representatives, and passed more bills than any other member of the first-term Democratic class. He is the only Democrat appointed to the Legislative Council Board, a powerful committee which oversees the internal operations of the Texas Legislature.

He has been especially committed to the issue of education. He fought to restore cuts to teacher insurance, authored a bill to increase school district funding in Texas by $1.2 billion dollars, and worked to protect the rights of all Texas children to an equal, high quality education.

Mr. Speaker, Representative Guillen has distinguished himself as a passionate and effective legislator, and he has a bright future ahead of him. I am proud to have the chance to recognize his work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Representative Ruth Jones McClendon for her dedicated service to the people of Texas.

Ruth McClendon has been a tremendous advocate for public safety and public health in the State of Texas. She is the creator of the Neighborhood Cellular on Patrol program, which has won acclaim from President George W. Bush for its effectiveness in reducing crime. She founded the Community Crime Prevention Network to fight neighborhood crime, sponsored legislation to support community policing and increase penalties for church burnings, and hosted a seminar with constituents to help them respond to gang activity.

While in the legislature, Representative McClendon passed two children's asthma bills, for which she received the American Lung Association of Texas Public Policy Award for 2001. She created a medical academy to prepare medical students to practice in inner city neighborhoods, and worked to pass a bill to dedicate $400 million for a pediatric cancer center in San Antonio.

Her legislative activity has brought her numerous awards, including listings in the World's Who's Who of Women and Who's Who in Texas. She is a graduate of Texas Southern University, and holds an honorary doctorate from Guadalupe College Theological Seminary. She was the first African-American woman elected to the San Antonio City Council, and was named a 2003 Headliner by the San Antonio Chapter of Women in Communications.

Mr. Speaker, Ruth Jones McClendon has been a tireless and effective public servant, and a role model and guardian for her community. She deserves our gratitude, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to recognize her for her work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the many accomplishments of Texas State Senator Jeff Wentworth.

Senator Wentworth has deep roots in Texas. A fourth generation Texan, he graduated from Alamo Heights High School, went to college at Texas A&M, and received his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. He has been serving the public in many capacities for most of his adult life: his previous employment includes one year as a university system regent; six years as a county commissioner, three years as a congressional assistant, and three years as an Army counterintelligence officer.

He served five years in the Texas House of Representatives, and was first elected to the Texas Senate in 1992. He is currently the Senate President Pro Tempore, and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He chairs the Texas Legislative Tourism Caucus, and remains a practicing lawyer, with the firm of Loeffler Tuggey Pauerstein Rosenthal, LLP.

Senator Wentworth is now in his fifth term, and continues to work tirelessly for the more than 700,000 constituents in his district. Jeff Wentworth is a genuine American success story, and a tremendous advocate for the people of San Antonio and for all the people of Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have this opportunity to recognize the many achievements of State Senator Jeff Wentworth.

Mr. Chairman, I believe very strongly in balancing our budget and reducing the deficit, but I think we need to set certain priorities that are important to our families. My hope is that we do this in a bipartisan approach, that we develop a consensus, and I do want to thank the gentleman from Iowa and the committee for allowing us to put some committee report language dealing with education in the budget and with results-oriented budgeting which I believe we need here at this House.

We need to balance the budget, but I think we need to protect our families and we need to make sure that we ensure that we are not trying to fix the

deficit on the backs of the country's working class.

The budget includes the termination of 150 programs. Nearly one in three of them are in education. It eliminates programs essential to our children's futures, such as Even Start, Upward Bound, Talent Search, Gear Up, Perkins loans, Pell grants and LEAP programs. It also does not allow us to give the full funding for special education. It also eliminates certain programs, such as the vocational education, nearly $1.3 billion in cuts. The safe and drug-free schools State programs which are so vital to our communities is eliminated.

Again, I believe in education. In my life, education has been one of the most invaluable tools that has made it possible for me to open up doors, move forward to attain higher goals and make my dreams a possibility. I feel very strongly about financial aid. In fact, I think we need to restore the funding to these vital education programs, especially increasing the $100 maximum Pell grant award. This fulfills the President's request of increasing the maximum Pell grant by $100 without paying for it by taking from other parts of the education budget.

As a member of the Committee on the Budget, I think we should ensure that the Federal Government investment is available to fulfill our commitment to helping low income students get into and graduate from college. College enrollment is slated to grow by almost 19 percent between now and 2015. This group increasingly will be comprised of full-time, nontraditional students, college age, first generation, low income and minority students. Most of these will likely need and will qualify for student financial aid.

My test for considering any budget proposal is whether it will make our families stronger. This budget proposal in my opinion does not make our families stronger. I urge our colleagues to vote in favor of strengthening and protecting our young children by protecting education.

Mr. Chairman, again, I hope we do this in a bipartisan approach and find a consensus.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize San Antonio City Councilman Ron Segovia's tremendous contribution to his community in my Congressional District of San Antonio, Texas.

Councilman Ron Segovia attended Harlandale High School in San Antonio, where he was a member of the ROTC. He studied at San Antonio College, and graduated from the Police Academy in 1975.

He served for 28 years as a San Antonio Police Officer, working in such special programs as DARE, SWAT, Crime Prevention, and Gang Resistance Education and Training. He was a part of the School Services program, which provided outreach and information to public school students.

Ron is also a successful small businessman. He owns Ron's Jewelers, which has been a fixture of the community for 22 years. He has used his role as a business owner to act as a benefactor and support educational programs in the community.

As a lifelong San Antonio resident he has given so much back to the community, as a protector, civil servant, and businessman.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have had this opportunity to recognize Councilman Ron Segovia.