Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, childhood cancer is a horrific illness plaguing not only our nation, but all nations of the world. In 2017, despite childhood cancer being the No. 1 cause of death by disease in the U.S., research funding specifically for childhood cancer was less than 4 percent of all national cancer funding. Earlier this year, Congress passed legislation that would provide more funding for research and development to combat childhood cancer. Yet more must be done in our communities. For this reason, I rise today to commend the actions of a family dedicated to raising awareness of childhood cancer, pushing for more involvement from the community, and highlighting the troubling effects this epidemic has on those diagnosed and their families. This is a family that has gone through the process of diagnosis, treatment, and--in this case--remission themselves.

Lt. Richard Jankovsky III, a DPS patrol officer and President of the Department of Public Safety Officers Association (DPSOA), has worked tirelessly to protect those on our highways and enforce the law. Yet his biggest challenge came when he experienced the effects of childhood cancer firsthand as his daughter Kaitlyn grappled with the disease for years.

Kaitlyn was diagnosed with leukemia in August of 2014 when she was only 13 years old. Kaitlyn underwent chemo, countless transfusions, and multiple surgeries, including a complete hip replacement, on her path to remission. Her last chemo treatment was on November 10, 2016. Now a senior at Woodsboro High School, Kaitlyn has challenged high schools across the state to wear gold ribbons this month, following Governor Greg Abbott's proclamation recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

A major issue many children like Kaitlyn face is access to blood for treatments. Cancer patients often need to replenish the blood lost during treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, which requires blood from healthy donors. In fact, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center reports there is less than a two-day supply on shelves, which is why the Jankovsky family has helped the DPSOA host blood drives for the past few years. They know the importance of having clean blood for treatments and have strived to bring their community together to help solve this problem.

The Jankovsky family has exhibited perseverance and selflessness, and it is an honor to recognize this extraordinary family and their commitment to raise awareness of childhood cancer.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to join the Boy Scouts of America South Texas Council in commending Claud and Mary Virginia Jacobs, a married couple who have dedicated their lives to community service and charitable efforts. Throughout their 54 years of marriage, they have served as role models for countless members of the Victoria and Yoakum communities through their faith, work ethic, and dedication to serving their community.

Claud Jacobs is a partner at Lodestone Financial Services with an Associate's degree from Victoria College, a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, and a chartered life underwriter designation from the American College of Life Underwriters. Mr. Jacobs has been the recipient of numerous awards during his career, including the Paul Gustwick Community Service Award from the Yoakum Chamber of Commerce, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Victoria College, the University of Houston-Victoria's People Who Make A Difference Award, and Citizen of the Year from the Victoria Rotary Club.

Mary Virginia Jacobs holds a Bachelor's in Nursing from Incarnate Word College, a family nurse practitioner degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and a master's degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. Mrs. Jacobs is the recipient of various awards, including the ``Who's Who of Nursing'' in 1990 and 1991, the Texas Nurses Association District 20 Distinguished Nurse Award, 2000's Volunteer of the Year award from the Hospice of South Texas, Volunteer of the Decade in 1999 from the Hospice of South Texas, and the University of Houston-Victoria's People Who Make A Difference Award in 2015, to name a few.

The couple has a mission statement of sorts that they use to inspire other members of the community to volunteer: ``Volunteer an hour a week in your school, church. Just an hour, you'd make a difference in somebody's life.'' It is an honor to recognize this extraordinary couple who have worked valiantly to make a difference in everyone's lives, one hour at a time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of William Wood Elementary School, an educational mainstay in the Victoria community.

The school's namesake, Mr. William Wood, was born in 1861 and died of pneumonia in 1900 at the age of 39. He married Nellie Borland on June 17, 1890. They owned and operated a ranch east of Telferner, Texas where they were prominent residents of the community. Their 5 children were Nellie, Frank P., Margaret, Corine, and Jessie. Upon his passing, his wife donated ten acres of land for the site of William A. Wood Memorial High School. It's assumed that being a former teacher herself had something to do with her choice of commemoration.

Construction began in 1918 and took two years to complete. On September 13, 1918, The Victoria Daily Advocate wrote: ``The schoolhouse is beginning to go undercover as Mr. Gruy is putting up the framework of the roof''. The building consisted of four classrooms with two rooms on either side of a large hallway. Construction of the school was not finished until 1920.

William A. Wood Memorial High School was added to the Shiller-Hood School District, which consisted of several small neighborhood schools. By the late 1940s, however, William A. Wood High School became the Shiller-Hood District's only school. In 1956, the Shiller-Hood School District ceased to exist, and the Victoria Independent School District

adopted William A. Wood High School. Eventually, the Victoria Independent School District transformed the high school into an elementary school to address a growing need for elementary education in the community.

On April 14, 1944, 21-year-old 2nd Lieutenant Thomas J. Flynn, an instructor at nearby Foster Field (now the Victoria Regional Airport), heroically gave his life to save the children of William Wood. Flynn was flying his plane over the school on a combat training mission when he encountered engine trouble. Knowing that abandoning the aircraft could cause it to hit the school, Lt. Flynn remained in the plane so that he could guide it away from the school. Because of Lt. Flynn's actions, countless lives were saved that day, and the school embraced a new mascot, the ``Aviators'', in Lt. Flynn's honor.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the 100th anniversary of such a historic institution that has shaped Texas young minds for a century. I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to all the educators that helped make William Wood such an impactful institution.

Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is a tragic, dehumanizing plague that must end. This year, Congress has taken significant steps to combat this horrible crime. Yet, more must be done both on the national level and in our communities.

The victims--children, women, and men--have had their lives forever changed and they will bear the scars, both mental and physical, for years to come. There are over 300,000 victims of human trafficking in the State of Texas alone. To make matters worse, many human trafficking victims are never rescued from their vicious captors.

Despite this darkness, there are rays of light across this nation making a difference in the battle against human trafficking. I rise today to highlight one of these remarkable organizations, the New Life Refuge Ministries, which is doing incredible work to combat this scourge by rescuing victims.

Organizations, such as New Life Refuge Ministries, serve as a voice for the voiceless, and work to empower the victims so that they can be heard. Their mission is simple: ending child sex trafficking by educating the community, partnering with other organizations in the fight against modern-day slavery, and providing a refuge for adult and child survivors alike.

Thank you to New Life Refuge Ministries for the work you are doing to end trafficking by bringing hope and healing to these shattered victims. Since its founding, New Life Refuge Ministries has worked tirelessly to educate more than 11,000 individuals on the dangers and effects of sex trafficking including healthcare workers, Law Enforcement officials, first responders, and even high school students, demonstrating to them the effects this modern-day slavery has on the youth of America.

Through their efforts, New Life Refuge Ministries, and many similar organizations have saved countless children from the vicious entrapments and effects of human trafficking.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize New Life Refuge Ministries in their fight to end child sex trafficking and bring healing and hope to the brave children who have suffered under this abuse. Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my sincerest desire for the success of their mission and may they inspire others to do the same.

May God Bless the New Life Refuge Ministries and their mission, may God Bless the victims, and may they find refuge, hope, and-- ultimately--healing.

Mr. Speaker, I do want to extend my sincerest appreciation and gratitude for the generosity and professionalism that you have shown to us as we have made this very quick transition. Thank you very much.

All right, there we go. This is Ean over there, my 12-year-old Zoe, and Kent. Kent's birthday is tomorrow. And my sister, Sara. I am also happy to be joined by my wife, Rosel. I have learned to keep this short.

You know, there are three words that set us apart from every other nation: ``We, the people.'' It is those three words that set us apart in history and the three words that allow someone like me and people like us to serve in an elected body like this.

So to the people of District 27 in Texas who elected me to serve, I take this responsibility seriously, and I ask for your continued prayers in serving well.

And to the people of this body, I look forward to working with you as we work toward this more perfect union and continue this experiment in self-government that has been handed to us from our Founders, and I pray that we have the courage and we have the strength to do what is right and to serve the people of this Nation well.

God bless you so much. Thank you for being here.