Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Teresa Vera Perez of Concepcion, Texas, who dedicated her life to serving the people of Duval County.

Mrs. Perez was born on November 25, 1933, to Saturnina Vera and Francisca Saenz Vera. At the age of 18, she married Mr. Asildo Lopez Perez with whom she shared a life for 57 years. During this time, they raised five children together: Elena, Ester, Eloy, and twins Eduardo and Ernesto.

Mrs. Perez first ran for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 in 1977 and won, making hr the first female Justice of the Peace in Duval County history. She served a total of three terms, becoming a lifelong member of the Texas Justices of the Peace and Constables Association and Chaplain for the South Texas Association of Justices of the Peace and Constables. In addition to her time serving as Justice of the Peace, Mrs. Perez also worked as a Nurse's Aide at the P&S Hospital, previously located in Alice, Texas. Following her 12 years as Justice of the Peace, she continued to serve as an Honorable Judge by joining couples in matrimony.

Mrs. Perez was an active member of the Duval County and the Concepcion communities throughout her lifetime. She proudly served as a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Immaculate Concepcion Catholic Church Altar and Rosary Society as well as the Guadalupana and the Fiesta Del Rancho Committee. She was also crowned Queen of the Elderly Nutrition program twice. fn 1993, at the age of 60 years old, she obtained her GED diploma in Alice, Texas. Mrs. Perez passed away on January 23, 2014. Although she is no longer with us, her memory remains eternal.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today to acknowledge the countless achievements and charitable acts of Mrs. Teresa Vera Perez. She devoted her life to the betterment of her community and her legacy will be no doubt be remembered by all who knew her. Her general love for life, her family, the Lord, and commitment to her neighbors is admirable. May she rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Congressman Filemon Vela's bill, H.R. 268, which would add Fort Brown to the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park located in Brownsville, Texas.

By including this fort, we are creating a national monument for the only standing architecture in the United States associated with the Mexican-American War.

In 1845, after the annexation of Texas, President James Polk sent soldiers to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, to proclaim the boundary of the United States at the Rio Grande River.

In 1846, General Zachary Taylor ordered the construction of the fort, which consisted of a six-sided earthwork. Once finished, General Taylor left to procure supplies and gave command of the fort to Major Jacob Brown.

On May 3, 1846, Mexico sought to capitalize on the depleted resources and bombarded the fort for 6 straight days. Major Jacob Brown and the American troops fought valiantly, forcing Mexico to retreat. American forces only lost two soldiers, one of which was Major Brown himself.

Today, the city of Brownsville and Fort Brown serve as a testament to Major Brown's valor, patriotism, and sacrifice. By passing H.R. 268, we as a Nation will honor Major Brown and the Americans who stood their ground at Fort Brown.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join Congressman Vela and I in preserving this important part of south Texas' and our entire country's history.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Villa Del Mar Restaurant of McAllen, Texas, an international family business celebrating 35 years of business.

Mr. Homero and Mrs. Maria Cristina Garza de Villarreal opened Villa Del Mar in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico in 1987. In 2005, the Villarreal family opened its first location in McAllen, Texas, quickly setting the standard for Mexican seafood in the Rio Grande Valley. Since then, Villa Del Mar Restaurant has united two countries and its people through their delicious cuisine.

Villa Del Mar stands as a living testament to the success that can come when passion and hard work meet opportunity. The Villarreal family has faithfully served our community and now serves as an inspiration for all Texans aspiring to succeed in business. Now, after a total of 35 years of service to the people of South Texas, I am proud to acknowledge their contributions to our region on the House floor. Villa Del Mar is a staple of Valley cuisine, and because of their hard work, it will continue to be one of South Texans' favorite restaurants.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today to acknowledge the countless achievements and successes of Villa Del Mar Restaurant and the Villarreal family, who have devoted their lives to giving the people of South Texas the highest quality of seafood and service. South Texas will be forever grateful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Angelica ``Kela'' Garcia of Edinburg, Texas, who dedicated her life to serving our country and South Texas. Mrs. Garcia was born on February 7, 1923, in Tabasco, Texas to her parents, Melecio and Andrea Gonzalez, as the youngest of eight children. At the age of 24, she married Mr. Felipe Garcia, Sr. with whom she lovingly raised nine children: Ramon Garcia, Nora Linda Garcia, Thelma Garcia, Felipe Garcia Jr., Roberto Garcia, Nora G. De Leon, Dalila A. Garcia, Leticia Garcia, and Romeo Garcia.

Mrs. Garcia was the type of person that could accomplish anything she set her mind to. As a young girl, she wanted to learn how to play the piano, so she bartered with the local piano teacher, trading milk from their dairy cow in exchange for piano lessons. That fondness for and dedication to the arts extended beyond music to the poetry of Joyce Kilmer. In elementary school, she developed a talent for recitation, winning poetry recital contests at her school.

After the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, Mrs. Garcia answered the call to service. She became part of the historic ``Rosie the Riveter's Brigade'' as an airplane machinist in Marfa, Texas. There, she made critical contributions to our military readiness, work many women had never had the chance to do.

Therefore, Madam Speaker, I stand here today to acknowledge the countless achievements and charitable acts of Mrs. Angelica ``Kela'' Garcia. She devoted her life for the betterment of our community, and I have no doubt that her legacy will be remembered by all who knew her. Her general love for life, her family, her friends, and country is admirable. May she rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Teresa Vera Perez of Concepcion, Texas, who dedicated her life to serving the people of Duval County.

Mrs. Perez was born on November 25, 1933, to Saturnino Vera and Francisca Saenz Vera. At the age of 18, she married Mr. Asildo Lopez Perez with whom she shared a life for 57 years. During this time, they raised five children together: Elena, Ester, Eloy, and twins Eduardo and Ernesto.

Mrs. Perez first ran for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 in 1977 and won, making her the first female Justice of the Peace in Duval County history. She served a total of three terms, becoming a lifelong member of the Texas Justices of the Peace and Constables Association and Chaplain for the South Texas Association of Justices of the Peace and Constables. In addition to her time serving as Justice of the Peace, Mrs. Perez also worked as a Nurse's Aide at the P&S Hospital, previously located in Alice, Texas. Following her 12 years as Justice of the Peace, she continued to serve as an Honorable Judge by joining couples in matrimony.

Mrs. Perez was an active member of the Duval County and the Concepcion communities throughout her lifetime. She proudly served as a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Immaculate Concepcion Catholic Church Altar and Rosary Society as well as the Guadalupana and the Fiesta Del Rancho Committee. She was also crowned Queen of the Elderly Nutrition program Twice. In 1993, at the age of 60 years old, she obtained her GED diploma in Alice, Texas. Mrs. Perez passed away on January 23, 2014. Although she is no longer with us, her memory remains eternal.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today to acknowledge the countless achievements and charitable acts of Mrs. Teresa Vera Perez. She devoted her life to the betterment of her community and her legacy will be no doubt be remembered by all who knew her. Her general love for life, her family, the Lord, and commitment to her neighbors is admirable. May she rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote on November 30, 2021 for Roll Call Vote 387 and Roll Call 388. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Yea on Roll Call Vote 387 and Yea on Roll Call Vote 388.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize December 1, 2021, as World AIDS Day. This is the 33rd year that the world will come together to raise awareness about preventive measures for HIV and AIDS.

World AIDS Day has been observed globally since 1988, bringing attention to the HIV epidemic and speaking out against the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS. This day is a call to end the HIV epidemic in the United States and across the globe. This year's theme of ``Ending the HIV Epidemic Equitable Access. Everyone's Voice'' emphasizes the significance or working together to achieve an AIDS-free generation. Recent progress for prevention and treatment tools provides us with the unprecedented opportunity to end the epidemic.

Since 2010, deaths from HIV/AIDS have fallen by 48 percent in the United States, but we still have work to do. We must continue to educate and spread awareness about HIV and AIDS prevention measures. Of the approximate 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States, 13 percent do not know they have HIV. It is imperative to implement programs at the local level to diagnose, treat, prevent, and respond to HIV. Together, we can end this.

This is also a time to remember those we lost to HIV-related illnesses. The actions of groups across the country have helped bring us closer to our common goal. This year, the Rio Grande Valley's own Basilica of Our Life San Juan del Valle will be commemorating the lives lost to HIV/AIDS and marking the 30th anniversary of this event founded by Francisco Mendez.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today to acknowledge the hard work of those in South Texas and across the world to end the HIV epidemic and to recognize December 1, 2021, as World AIDS Day.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Eugene Gutierrez of Edinburg, Texas for his incredible commitment to the community of South Texas, his service for our country, and to celebrate his 100th birthday.

Mr. Gutierrez was born on September 14, 1921 and grew up in South Texas. He attended Harlingen High School and, after graduation, enlisted in the United States Army to pursue a career in engineering. However, after Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Mr. Gutierrez's military career took a quick turn.

Mr. Gutierrez began rigorous training with the First Special Service Force, an elite group of 1,800 troops from both American and Canadian armies at Fort William Henry Harrison in Montana. They were later dubbed as ``the Devil's Brigade'' by German opposition, in July of 1942. During his time fighting in World War II, Mr. Gutierrez was honored with numerous awards, including: two Bronze Stars, one for valor and the other for infantry combat, a Liberation of France medal, a Good Conduct medal, a World War Two Victory medal, a First Special Service Force medal, and the Congressional Gold medal.

Upon returning home from the war, Mr. Gutierrez went on to pursue a degree from Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1950. He then settled in McAllen, Texas where he served as an educator, principal, and superintendent at McAllen Independent School District for 30 years until he retired in 1980. Mr. Gutierrez continues to serve as an active member of the McAllen community through his work in the Sierra Club and as a parishioner at Our Lady of Sorrows Church.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today to acknowledge the countless achievements of Eugene Gutierrez. He dedicated his life to the betterment of his community and his legacy will no doubt inspire future generations to do the same. His military service, devotion to the community, and general love for life is admirable. I thank Mr. Gutierrez, and wish him a happy 100th birthday.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor former Duval County Judge, Gilberto Uresti, for his service to Duval County and South Texas.

Judge Uresti was born on March 12, 1935, in Kingsville, Texas, to Elijio Uresti and Maria Munoz. He grew up in Benavides, Texas and graduated from Benavides High School as the Salutatorian in 1954. After high school, Judge Uresti obtained a Bachelor's of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Texas at Austin. Upon graduation, Judge Uresti moved back to Benavides and worked at DeLeon Pharmacy for over forty years, eventually becoming part owner. During this time Judge Uresti married Maria Olga Carrillo, his high school sweetheart, and had four children: Aaron Rene, Belinda Marie, Patricia Annette, and Gilbert Mario.

Judge Uresti was appointed to serve as the Duval County Judge on October 31, 1975, by the judge of the 197th District Court, Judge Darrell Hester. During his tenure as County Judge, Judge Uresti focused on tackling the rampant corruption in Duval County which had bankrupt the local government. His efforts to improve the county's stature and financial standing earned Uresti three terms as Duval County Judge, from October 31, 1975 to December 31, 1986, and from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 1994.

Judge Uresti gained recognition not only from his peers throughout South Texas, but from the National Association of Counties. His dedication to his community and conviction to follow through on commitments made him one of the most influential figures in South Texas. During and following his appointment, Duval County saw the creation of community centers, new parks, nutritional services for the elderly, housing rehabilitation programs, and a Youth Conservation Corps. Under Judge Uresti's leadership, Duval County was eventually voted Top County in the Nation by the National Association of Counties.

In addition to his accomplishments as a County Judge, he also served as Chairman of the Coastal Bend Council of Governments, a member of the Governor's Regional Review Committee, Chairman of the Community Action Council of South Texas, and a member of the National Association of Counties Board of Directors.

Madam Speaker, Judge Uresti is an incredible leader and unwavering commitment to South Texans who will be remembered for generations to come. He is a man of his word, intelligent and disciplined, who treated people with respect and took responsibility. I stand here today to thank Judge Uresti for his contributions to Duval County and all of South Texas

Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful nation, I rise today to recognize Major Harvey Harrell Storms of McAllen, Texas, who sacrificed his life in the Korean War.

Major Storms was born in McAllen, Texas and was a proud member of the Texas A&M University Class of 1939. After receiving a bachelor's degree in agriculture, he enlisted in the United States Army where he fought valiantly in World War II, earning the World War II Victory Medal.

After Major Storms' tour during World War II, he re-enlisted for the Korean War. There, he was a member of the Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division.

In November of 1950, Major Storms and his Company fought at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, a decisive but brutal battle marked by harsh icy conditions. Throughout the battle, Chinese soldiers had Major Storms and his soldiers pinned down. In an attempt to help them, Major Storms led an attack up Hill 1221. During this act of bravery, Major Storms was shot in the crossfire, reported missing in action on December 1, 1950, and declared dead on December 31, 2021.

Major Storms, a loving husband and father of four, made the ultimate sacrifice to help free his fellow soldiers. Major Storms was decorated with the Silver Star and Purple Heart honors for his leadership and valor. Unfortunately, his remains were not recovered for over 70 years, until in 2018, when North Korea turned over 55 boxes of American service members' remains at the summit between former President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un. It was then that Harvey Storms was finally returned home.

On Friday, July 16, 2021, Major Storms was interred at the Arlington National Cemetery, and a rosette was placed next to his name on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii, indicating that he had been accounted for.

Madam Speaker, I want to honor the memory of Major Harvey Harrel Storms, and thank him for his service and sacrifice. He was an honorable, noble, accomplished, and impressive soldier, one that our nation is so grateful for. As an American and Texan, I am touched by the actions he took to protect our country. I know that his legacy will inspire future generations to honorably serve their fellow man.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor our brave and selfless law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty in south Texas this past year: Jorge Cabrera, Ismael Chavez, Edelmiro Garza, Jr. Let us not forget those who stood guard at our border and kept us safe: Carlos Mendoza, Juan Ollervidez, Christopher Carney, Roel De La Fuente, and Enrique Rositas.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take a brief moment of silence to pay my respects to those law enforcement officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep our community safe.

My community and I owe a deep amount of gratitude to these officers who sought to keep us safe. I thank them, and may God bless and watch over our law enforcement officers, their families, and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1565, the Senior Security Act.

This commonsense legislation will provide much-needed information for policymakers and regulators to fine-tune protections for elderly investors.

In south Texas, where we share the deep value of respect for our elders, we say society is judged on how we care for our parents, our grandparents, and beyond. We all know how closely financial health is tied to overall well-being. I am proud to support this legislation that equips us to identify better ways to protect our senior citizens and for them to protect themselves from fraud and scammers.

This Senior Security Act aims to protect our seniors and prevent these attacks from happening. This legislation will build upon the Senior Safe Act by creating an interdivisional task force at the Securities and Exchange Commission to examine and identify challenges facing seniors and investors.

Within 2 years of enactment, the U.S. Government Accountability Office must study and report the economic costs of the financial exploitation of our seniors. Let's be clear: Scammers will stop at nothing to take advantage of our seniors, and it is up to us in this House to stop them.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my congressional colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of legislation, and I urge its passage.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor James `Jim' Darling on the occasion of his retirement. Mayor Darling faithfully served the City of McAllen, Texas for 43 years and will close out his tenure as mayor this May.

Mayor Darling was born in Rochester, New York, and then selflessly joined the U.S. Air Force. He completed two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force as a staff sergeant and eventually earned the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer for the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Mayor Darling initially came to Texas to attend Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he obtained his bachelor's and law degree. After Baylor, he moved to McAllen, Texas, where his love for the community kept him for over 40 years. Mayor Darling spent 28 years as city attorney for the City of McAllen and other government entities. He also served as the District 6 City Commissioner for two terms before being elected as Mayor of McAllen in 2013.

During Darling's two terms as Mayor, he was devoted to expanding educational opportunities and investing in public safety and infrastructure in McAllen and the entire Rio Grande Valley. He was deeply involved in the establishment of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Medical School, UTRGV Research Center and a Texas A&M University campus, attracting future professionals to the area. He also oversaw the merger of the Valley's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations and spearheaded key road and traffic improvements, an expansion of the city police department, an expansion of McAllen International Airport, and the construction of a new fire department.

Under Mayor Darling's leadership, the city also saw stadium improvements, park developments, and the construction of the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Mayor Darling also fought to bring broadband for underserved neighborhoods and worked with Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley to open the Humanitarian Respite Center.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Mayor Darling for his leadership and more than four decades of service to the City of McAllen. While he credits many for his accomplishments, it takes a true leader to make a difference of this magnitude. He serves as both a light in our community and a role model. It is an honor to represent a dedicated public servant like Jim Darling. I wish Mayor Darling, my good friend, the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Mario Lizcano of Edinburg, Texas for his incredible commitment to serve the Rio Grande Valley.

Mario is a community leader who grew up in Pharr, Texas. He went to high school at PSJA High and attended college at the University of Texas San Antonio.

Mr. Lizcano is now the Administrator of Corporate Affairs at DHR Health, a physician-owned health system that offers some of the most comprehensive medical care on the U.S. Southern Border. Mario has been with DHR Health for nearly 14 years and has contributed significantly to the promotion of health and COVID-19 awareness in the Rio Grande Valley.

Mario was named Man of the Year for 2020 by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce for his magnificent record of public service. He was not only recognized for his work with DHR Health, but for his countless other selfless acts that benefit the community. Mario served as the 2020 Edinburg Census Committee Chairman and helped ensure South Texas had the most accurate count possible. He is also the Chairman of the Board for the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce and the Vice President of the Pharr Economic Development Corporation.

In addition to his various leadership roles within the community, Mr. Lizcano is a 20-year volunteer firefighter veteran, achieving the rank of Firefighter of the year, twice, by the city of Mission, as well as the Firefighter of the Year for the entire Rio Grande Valley. Once, he even ran a 5k in full firefighter uniform to raise money for charity.

Mario has contributed and volunteered for more than 500 regional and statewide events and has accumulated innumerable awards. The sheer amount of leadership positions and awards Mr. Lizcano has achieved is too many to recognize today in my allotted time.

Therefore, Madam Speaker, I stand here today to acknowledge the countless achievements of Mario Lizcano. He has dedicated his life to the betterment of his community and his legacy will no doubt inspire public service and volunteerism of future generations. I thank Mr. Lizcano and congratulate him.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote on July 15, 2019 for Roll Call Vote 475, Roll Call Vote 476, and Roll Call Vote 477. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Yea on Roll Call Vote 475, Yea on Roll Call Vote 476, and Yea on Roll Call Vote 477.