Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote on June 18, 2019 for Roll Call Vote 323, Roll Call Vote 324, Roll Call Vote 325, Roll Call 326, Roll Call 327, Roll Call 328, Roll Call 329, Roll Call 330, Roll Call 331, and Roll Call 332. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Aye on Roll Call Vote 323, No on Roll Call Vote 324, Aye on Roll Call Vote 325, Aye on Roll Call Vote 326, No on Roll Call Vote 327, Aye on Roll Call Vote 328, No on Roll Call Vote 329, Aye on Roll Call Vote 330, Aye on Roll Call Vote 331, and Aye on Roll Call 332.

Madam Chair, I rise today to offer bipartisan solutions to a problem.

I would also like to acknowledge my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Ohio, Congressman Stivers, for his support in this effort.

This problem is in the backyard of every south Texan or any resident along the border. The problem is an immigration system that is ill- equipped to process immigrants on our southern border.

I assure you, we understand the complexity and the problem with much more compassion than anyone in this country. The only way to relieve pressure in this pressure cooker of a system is to process these cases more efficiently.

In 2016, we had record-breaking numbers of cases. We had 521,000 cases. The number now is 876,000 cases waiting for asylum in this country.

I asked a simple question of the Executive Office for Immigration Review. I asked: What will it take to get these cases processed and up to date so that immigrants may have a hearing on their claim within the same year? The answer was to increase the agency's ability to hear cases, which means more judges, more benches, and more support staff. That is what my amendment seeks to do.

The only way we can reach into these detention centers is to act immediately. I ask for my colleagues' support.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Jose Simon Villa, an educator, philanthropist, and leader.

Dr. Villa is a proud native of San Juan, Texas. Jose became the first in his family to graduate from college when he earned his bachelors degree from the University of Oregon. Dr. Villa went on to complete his Ph.D. in educational administration at the Ohio State University. His dissertation research focused on the educational aspirations and opportunities of migrant youth and children. Dr. Villa served many years in higher education at Ohio State as the Assistant Vice Provost for the Office of Minority Affairs, Director of the College Assistant Migrant Program, and Program Coordinator for Hispanic Affairs. Additionally, he has served as Program Consultant for the U.S. Department of Education and as an Educational Consultant and State Director of Migrant Education for the Ohio Department of Education.

Furthermore, Dr. Jose Simon Villa has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project (ECMHSP) for the past five years. The ECMHSP is the largest Migrant and Seasonal Head Start provider in the country with 38 centers across the area from Lake Okeechobee in Florida to Lake Erie in Pennsylvania. It is a non-profit organization that advocates for farm worker communities and provides quality Head Start services to young children. Under the leadership of Dr. Simon Villa, the ECMHSP has helped over 10,000 children and has expanded further into Florida to include Palmetto and Jennings.

Madam Speaker, Dr. Jose Simon Villa has worked tirelessly to give migrant families and children the opportunities they need to succeed. He serves as both a light in our community and as a generous leader. It is an honor to represent a dedicated and selfless individual who has greatly impacted the educational journey of thousands of children across the United States. I wish Dr. Villa the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote on June 10, 2019 for Roll Call Vote 242, Roll Call Vote 243, and Roll Call Vote 244. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Yea on Roll Call Vote 242, Yea on Roll Call Vote 243, and Yea on Roll Call 244.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Alan D. Monroe, a leader, a trailblazer, and an intellectual.

Alan D. Monroe grew up in Sherman, Texas. After graduating from Sherman High School in 1965, he attended Austin College where he graduated with Honors earning a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1969. In 1970, he obtained a Master of Arts at New York University. He continued his education at the University of Texas School of Law, graduating in 1975 with his juris doctor. Alan went on to practice law in many courts across Texas, including the United States Court of Appeals for

the Fifth Circuit in 1979 and the Supreme Court of the United States in 1981.

Alan D. Monroe is highly respected in the field of real estate law. Among his many prestigious accomplishments, he obtained his Board Certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Commercial Real Estate Law and Residential Real Estate Law in 1988. Additionally, he has held memberships in the State Bar of Texas, the Hidalgo County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.

Alan D. Monroe is a multi-faceted lawyer with years of experience and a wealth of knowledge. Upon graduating from the University of Texas School of Law, Alan D. Monroe served as an Associate with Kelly, Looney & Alexander in 1976. He became a partner of the firm in 1980. Seven years later in 1987, he established his own practice named the Law Office of Alan D. Monroe. On July 1, 2002, Alan D. Monroe became partners with Byron Jay Lewis and Mark S. Pena. They renamed the firm Lewis, Monroe & Pena.

Alan D. Monroe is known for both his successes and his generosity, constantly sharing his knowledge with peers. He taught courses in banking law for the American Bankers Association from 1989 to 1991. He also served as a chairman of the Real Estate Section for the Hidalgo County Bar Association from 2009 to 2011, and he coauthored Creative Solutions to Complex Title Problems, which was presented during the 28 Annual Advanced Real Estate Law Conference in 2006.

Alan D. Monroe is looking forward to devoting his time to his wife, Baceliza, and his children: Rebecca Monroe, Jessica Martinez and her husband Daniel, James Alan Monroe and his wife Mary Beth. He especially cherishes time with his grandsons, Luke Martinez and Tom Monroe.

Mr. Alan D. Monroe will retire officially on June 30, 2019. To say we are grateful for his contributions would be a grave understatement--he has earned the respect of many throughout his decades of service. His work ethic, dedication and professionalism have made a lasting impact on many, especially those who have had the privilege of working with him.

Madam Speaker, I commend Alan D. Monroe for his work in the real estate industry that has produced great lasting results for the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, and beyond.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor JoAnn Gama, an educator, innovator, and leader.

JoAnn Gama was born and raised on the north side of Houston, Texas. In 1997, she joined Teach For America, committing two years to teaching in public schools in underserved communities. After moving to the Rio Grande Valley, JoAnn enrolled at the University of Texas-Pan American, now known as the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and eamed her master's degree in Educational Leadership.

In 1998, JoAnn co-founded the IDEA Academy within the Donna Independent School District with fellow Teach For America corps member, Tom Torkelson. After one year as a ``school within a school,'' JoAnn and Tom applied for a state charter. Nearly 20 years ago, in August of 2000, they opened the IDEA Academy Charter School with 150 students, grades 4 through 8.

JoAnn is the co-founder and chief of schools, and led many efforts to replicate the original school. Currently, IDEA Public Schools educate nearly 45,000 students in 79 schools across five regions--the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso and Southern Louisiana. In 2017, U.S. News & World Report ranked IDEA Donna, IDEA Quest, and IDEA Frontier in the top 1 percent of all public high schools in the United States and the top 40 best public charter schools in the nation.

Madam Speaker, JoAnn Gama has worked tirelessly to give countless students the tools they need to succeed. She is a pillar of our community and an example to us all. It is an honor to represent a selfless, committed individual like her who has forever changed and strengthened the foundation of education in South Texas. I wish JoAnn, her husband Juan, and her children Gaeland and Jimena the best in their future endeavors

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Rex Cafe & Bakery in McAllen, Texas, and all of its distinguished employees. Rex Cafe & Bakery was founded by Rogelio Guerrero over 70 years ago in 1947, and I could not be happier to have such a talented group of individuals create jobs in the Rio Grande Valley.

Rogelio was born in Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, on February 3, 1908, and moved to McAllen in 1918. Rogelio was a World War II Veteran who served as a construction equipment mechanic in the United States Army. Rogelio was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with Three Bronze Stars and the Philippines Liberation Medal with One Bronze Star as well as many other awards for his service. He was also an active member of the American Legion, served as a member on the advisory board of La Piedad Cemetery, and treasurer of Woodmen of the World.

Rogelio left his legacy to his nephew Baldemar Guerrero, Sr., who in turn left it to his son Baldemar Guerrero, Jr. The Guerrero family's determination and hard work has left a lasting impact on South Texas. Most customers have visited frequently for years to enjoy coffee, baked goods, comfort food, among many others delicious meals and treats. This, along with the top of the line customer service provided by its loyal staff, have made Rex Cafe & Bakery a pillar of our community.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to represent the hard-working individuals of Rex Cafe & Bakery and its founder, Rogelio Guerrero. Their success is a shining example of what the 15th District of Texas has to offer.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Stuart Dorsey, an educator, an innovator, and a leader.

Dr. Dorsey currently serves as the President of Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas. He began his tenure in the summer of 2011 and will conclude his work at TLU on June 30, 2019.

Dr. Dorsey's story is one that exhibits commitment and dedication at every turn. Dr. Dorsey earned his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of South Dakota. From there, he earned both his Master and doctor of philosophy in economics from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He then served the public in the U.S. Department of Labor before joining the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance where he was the Committee's Chief Economist from 1982 to 1984.

Dr. Dorsey then began his career in academia as an associate professor of economics at West Virginia University. He went on to serve as Dean of the Faculty at Baker University in Kansas and then as Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Evansville in Indiana. Afterward, he served as the President of the University of Redlands in California until he became the President of Texas Lutheran University.

Over the past eight years, Dr. Dorsey oversaw tremendous change to the university's campus and culture. Under his leadership, the university completed a freshmen residence hall, a studio theatre, and a School of Music building. Dr. Dorsey also oversaw the completion of Bulldog Stadium, which has allowed the university to host football games and track and field events on campus for the first time in its history. Through these accomplishments, Dr. Dorsey has laid a strong foundation for the university to continue its success.

Furthermore, Dr. Dorsey expanded the university's academic influence by leading the creation of several new programs of study, including a popular undergraduate program in nursing and graduate programs in accounting, data analytics, and athletic training.

Dr. Dorsey has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for the students and community of TLU. His unwavering devotion to his students' success is evident and furthered by his wife Michelle's equally impressive dedication to service. Through their combined efforts, the university was named a Great College to Work for seven years in a row.

Madam Speaker, Dr. Dorsey has worked endlessly to make a difference in the lives of Central Texans. His efforts have made him a pillar of the community and an example to us all. It is an honor to represent selfless, committed individuals like him. I wish him and his wife Michelle nothing but the best as they begin retirement in California.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Dr. Hiram Tavarez from McAllen, Texas. Dr. Tavarez recently retired after dedicating his career to the health and prosperity of the people of South Texas. For the past 55 years, he has worked tirelessly to help people in the Rio Grande Valley lead healthy lives.

Dr. Tavarez earned his medical degree from the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico, and started his residency in internal medicine at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas. In 1965, Dr. Tavarez finished his residency and joined his brothers, Marvin and Vicente, in McAllen where they began practicing medicine. There, they opened the Tavarez Medical Center which still serves our community today. In the early days of the Tavarez Medical Center, Hiram and his brothers frequently made house calls homes to administer treatment and care. Dr. Tavarez would continue to demonstrate his unwavering commitment to serving others throughout his career. His good deeds did not go unnoticed as he received several honors and awards for his commitment to his community and patients.

Dr. Tavarez's dedication to helping others is matched by his staff's loyalty and mission of service. The staff at the Tavarez Medical Center consistently praise Dr. Tavarez for his compassion and his kindness; sentiments echoed by his patients. For more than half a century, Dr. Tavarez has unfailingly ensured every patient receives the highest quality care possible. His past shines brightly with his good feats, and his retirement is well deserved.

Madam Speaker, Dr. Tavarez is a pillar of the community in South Texas and serves as an example to all of us. It is truly an honor to represent dedicated, selfless individuals like him.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote on May 7, 2019 for Roll Call Vote 185 and Roll Call Vote 186. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Yea on Roll Call Vote 185, and Yea on Roll Call 186.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Miles Cua, Satya Holla, Mohammad Khalil, Kunaal Jha, Chris Conway, and Coach Scott Wiley from the Science Academy of South Texas. These fine young men and women are competing in the 2019 National Science Bowl Finals in Washington, D.C. Sunday, April 28, 2019.

Created by the Department of Energy's Office of Science in 1991, the National Science Bowl is one of the largest and most prestigious academic competitions in the United States. Over the course of the National Science Bowl's history, more than 290,000 students have participated. Each year, this competition encourages thousands of students to expand their understanding of mathematics and science and pursue careers in such fields.

Our Science Academy of South Texas team have put in the grit, sweat equity, and hard work to get here, and I wish them all the best as they face some of the best high school teams in the nation. I am confident that they will continue on to pursue even greater feats and that this competition will teach them a great deal about themselves and their abilities to persevere regardless of the obstacles ahead.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to represent these students and their families in the United States Congress, and I know all my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating the Science Academy of South Texas on competing in this year's National Science Bowl Finals.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote on April 8, 2019 for Roll Call Vote 157, Roll Call 158, and Roll Call Vote 159. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Yea on Roll Call Vote 157, Yea on Roll Call 158, and Yea on Roll Call 159.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote on April 1, 2019 for Roll Call Vote 137, Roll Call 138, and Roll Call Vote 139. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Yea on Roll Call Vote 137, Yea on Roll Call 138, and Yea on Roll Call 139.

Madam Speaker, I stand today to honor the career of Joseph Orendain. Mr. Orendain recently retired from the Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office, serving with honor and prestige throughout his tenure as an Assistant District Attorney.

Twenty-nine years ago, Mr. Orendain began his legal career in the District Attorney's office. Though he easily could have left for a more lucrative job, he continued his service to the community for nearly three decades. He has worked on countless noteworthy cases and earned recognition from his peers as well as the Association of Government Attorneys in Capital Litigation Awards, receiving an award for Outstanding Advocacy in Capital and Complex Homicide Cases. Mr. Orendain made history when he became the first prosecutor to successfully try a human trafficking case in the United States using a state penal code.

Mr. Orendain's involvement and commitment to justice was ingrained in him at an early age The child of the man who founded the Texas Farm Workers Union, he followed his father to strikes and marches to fight for workers' rights. When he was only 14-years-old he marched in the Texas Farm Workers March for Human Rights from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to Washington, D.C.

In 2017, Mr. Orendain and his trial partner, Cregg Thompson, tried and successfully secured a guilty conviction in another landmark case. Ultimately, it took them six weeks of rigorous work to succeed. I am confident that Mr. Orendain will continue to improve the lives of many in his community and make us proud. I wish him the best as he enjoys his well-earned retirement with family, friends and loved ones.

Madam Speaker, Joseph Orendain is a pillar of our community, and it is truly a privilege to represent committed, selfless individuals like him

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and service of a gentleman, the Honorable Ramon Garcia.

Judge Garcia recently completed his third term as the Hidalgo County judge, serving with honor and distinction during his tenure. Judge Garcia was first elected in 2002. At the end of his tenure in 2006, Judge Garcia left Hidalgo County in the best financial position it had ever been in, in its history.

Judge Garcia returned for a second round as Hidalgo County judge, being elected for a second term in 2010, and a third term in 2014, having served until this year in 2019.

His leadership and fiscally responsible policies have paved the way for Hidalgo County to construct a much-needed county courthouse. The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court officially named the courthouse's law library the ``Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia Law Library,'' paying homage to his positive contributions to Hidalgo County.

Ramon Garcia was born in 1948 at the old McAllen General Hospital, the current location of McAllen City Hall. He graduated with honors from the University of Houston, Bates College of Law, in 1972, and passed the State bar the same year.

He began practicing in 1973 with Joe B. Evins, who was an attorney at the time but would later go on to be the State district judge in our county.

Recently, Judge Garcia formed a coalition of community leaders to plan for the 2020 Census and ensure that Hidalgo County is accurately counted. The coalition's work is recognized statewide and by other city and county governments that are facing similar situations.

Today, Hidalgo County continues its fight for representation and entitlement funds, and they owe many thanks to Judge Garcia for his tireless work.

Madam Speaker, Judge Garcia is a pillar in our community. There are many reasons to admire the work of Judge Garcia. I personally thank the judge for his exemplary work in government, but I most admire his trial and advocacy skills that he has used to advocate for south Texas.

He has challenged the status quo as a litigator and as our county judge to the benefit of south Texans. It is a privilege to represent resilient, hardworking individuals like him.