Floor Statements

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.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend, Rabbi Claudio J. Kogan.

Rabbi Kogan has devoted his life to being a spiritual leader in the Jewish faith and a leader in our community.

Rabbi Kogan is currently the director of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine's new Institute for Bioethics and Social Justice. Since June 2018, Rabbi Kogan has led the School of Medicine's efforts on ethical and social issues that affect south Texas and the Nation.

Rabbi Kogan is a physician and an ordained rabbi. He earned his medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine and a master's of bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Rabbi Kogan has also spent time as a member of the Institutional Review Board at the Yale University School of Medicine.

Previously, he served as rabbi at Temple Emanuel in my district in McAllen, Texas, and continues to serve as a chaplain for various law enforcement agencies and hospital systems in the area.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to have Rabbi Kogan and his family join us here today in the people's House.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote on January 22, 2019 for Roll Call Vote 44 and Roll Call Vote 45. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: ``yea'' on Roll Call Vote 44 and ``yea'' on 45

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize L&F Distributors and all of its diligent employees. This year, L&F Distributors celebrates 40 years of successfully serving South Texans premium beverages, and I could not be happier to have such talented entrepreneurs in my district.

Purchased in 1978 by Joe LaMantia Jr., this family business started with only a handful of employees and one location in McAllen, Texas. Over four decades later, this third-generation family owned company has taken Texas by storm with locations across 35 counties in Texas and now Southern New Mexico. It is truly an honor to represent such a prestigious example of how impactful local businesses are in our economies. I look forward to watching them continue to grow in Texas and beyond.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to represent the hard-working individuals of L&F Distributors. Their success is a shining example of what the 15th District of Texas has to offer.

Madam Speaker, I stand today to honor the life of Felipe Huerta, Jr. I was deeply saddened to hear that Felipe passed away on Sunday, December 16 2018.

Felipe served his community as an EMS medic for three and a half years. He also served his country as a Marine, having been deployed twice to Afghanistan. He was awarded the Purple Heart for the sacrifices he made protecting our great nation.

Everything we hold dear as a community, state, and country is owed to the brave sacrifice of service members like Mr. Huerta. Felipe was a true patriot and hero who will always be remembered for his dedication to

serving others. I know that Felipe's legacy will inspire future generations to honorably serve our fellow man.

Madam Speaker, last month our country lost a veteran, and one of its kindest individuals. His family will be in my thoughts and prayers. It is a privilege to represent individuals like Felipe Huerta, Jr. and his family.

Madam Speaker, during one of the most divisive times in American history, I rise today in a moment of American optimism.

In this freshly minted 116th Congress, the most diverse in our history, I welcome all new Members, young and old; Democrats and Republicans; from the North, South, East, or West; male or female; gay or straight; Jew or gentile. And I ask you to join me in this journey of optimism.

Today is the beginning of the rest of our history, the history of the opportunity we have before us to solve the Nation's critical issues that are happening today, the everyday problems that our people live with, in our diverse land.

Let us never forget who we are and the greatness we have shown the world. Let us never forget that this is the America that freed slaves, granted religious freedoms, fed the hungry, and welcomed the stranger; the America that spread democracy and freedom around the globe; the America that freed Europe and defended others from bullies and foes; the America that gave the world electricity and light. We put the first man on the Moon, flew the first woman across the pond, and created the internet and the iPhone and, yes, Facebook and Twitter, too.

We gave the world baseball and proudly root for our Olympians who lead the world in medals. We entertain the world with Hollywood, MTV, and American pop, hip-hop, Tejano, country, rock `n' roll, and jazz music. We bring smiles and joy to children around the world through Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

We are also the country of the Mayo, Johns Hopkins, MD Anderson, and Cleveland clinics.

And all of this is while enjoying the largest economy in the world.

This is the America the world longs to be, and this is the America we have the responsibility to be, the America the world is still patiently and optimistically waiting and watching to see the next great thing we do. We are the America that came together in solidarity after 9/11. We are still that America.

To the young in this country, I promise you, you are going to be okay. There is a lot of reason to be optimistic, because I still believe that everyone serving in this body sincerely loves this country and, at the end of the day, rises to the occasion to do what is right for it.

There is nothing greater than staying united, conserving our creativity and work ethic while respecting our differences. The world is counting on us.

To you, America, I toast. I toast with a freshly brewed double espresso from Starbucks--yes, another American gem. That, my friends, is what makes America great. God bless the USA.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my fellow lawmakers: who is protecting those that protected this nation?

Carlos Torres, an Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War, passed away on Sunday, December 9, 2018, at the age of 64. However, Mr. Torres did not leave this Earth in the home he served. Instead, he left us having been isolated by a country that failed to provide him his due citizenship after military service.

Mr. Torres, an immigrant from Mexico, joined the U.S. Army with the promise and hope of becoming an American citizen following his service. However, once he completed his service, he was denied, he was ignored, and he was left unprotected by a system that abandoned so many others. Distraught by this lack of care and naturalization progress, Mr. Torres--like so many others--turned to other means of catharsis.

He was caught with marijuana. He was charged. He was deported. He was sent back to Mexico, making less than a dollar a day. Without VA benefits. Without his family. Without hope.

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, he returned to the United States, but this time, he returned in death.

Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress, my fellow Americans, we failed Carlos Torres and so many like him. We cannot continue to desert these American patriots. The time for retribution is now.

Last year, I introduced H.R. 3429, the Repatriate Our Patriots Act, a bill that would create a pathway to citizenship for deported veterans who held a clean record prior to service. Time is running out. The lives of these men and women depend on our immediate actions. We must pass this bill. We must make amends. We must do so now for the thousands of deported veterans, for their families, for Carlos Torres.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote on December 10, 2018 for Roll Call Vote 426 and Roll Call Vote 427. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Yea on Roll Call Vote 426 and Yea on 427.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judge Endercio Chapa, Jr., a Justice of the Peace in Live Oak County. For 28 years, Judge Chapa prioritized the needs of Precinct 4 and approached every circumstance with a fair and open mind.

Born in San Diego, Texas, and raised in Live Oak County, Judge Chapa has deep ties to South Texas. He earned his Associates degree in 1978 from Texas Christian University then attended Alfred Edge Real Estate School in 1980 where he earned his real estate license. Finally, in 1993, Judge Chapa attended Bee County College to receive law enforcement training.

Before becoming a Justice of the Peace, Judge Chapa worked for a time as a rancher and auctioneer. Once elected, he still made time to offer his expertise to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and started his own successful security company. It is my hope that Judge Chapa will look back on his years of service and take pride in all he has achieved for our community. I wish Judge Chapa all the best and hope his time is well spent with his wife, Margie, and their three daughters, Claudia, Salina, and Isabella.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to represent Judge Endercio Chapa, Jr. This hardworking entrepreneur and public servant is a shining example of what the 15th District has to offer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Taco Palenque and all of its diligent employees. This year, Taco Palenque celebrates 20 years in the Rio Grande Valley, and I could not be happier to have such talented entrepreneurs in my district.

In 1987, Juan Francisco Ochoa opened the first Taco Palenque restaurant where families could come together over authentic Mexican food. Over two decades later, Taco Palenque has taken both the Valley and Texas by storm with locations in San Antonio, Houston, Brownsville, and, of course, McAllen. I look forward to watching them continue to grow in South Texas and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to represent the hard-working individuals of Taco Palenque. Their recent success is a shining example of what the 15th District of Texas has to offer.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote on November 27, 2018 for Roll Call Vote 421 and Roll Call Vote 422. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Yea on Roll Call Vote 421 and Yea on 422.

Mr. Speaker, by no means do I condone the atrocities that continue to be committed in Yemen. The United States Congress cannot stand by as famine and armed conflict claim the lives of millions. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution assigns to Congress the sole authority over the offensive use of force, and now is the time not only to reassess our military's involvement in Yemen, but in every other conflict zone. I voted YEA on Roll Call No. 418 because I believe that Congress must take back the constitutional reins and thoroughly examine U.S. military participation across the globe for the good of our country, our servicemembers, and our allies.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the First Presbyterian Church of McAllen. For 110 years, First Presbyterian has brought members of the community together in song, faith and service.

The First Presbyterian Church of McAllen had humble beginnings, starting with just 13 people in a lumber field in 1908. As time went on, the church grew, overcoming every obstacle that came its way. Today, the church has a congregation of over 300 people.

Among its achievements is the establishment of Su Casa De Esperanza-- a nonprofit which helps families both before and after childbirth to ensure the health and happiness of the child and parents. First Presbyterian also launched a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance hosting site for newly arrived asylum seekers, providing them with food, clothing, and a warm welcome to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to represent the hard-working individuals of the First Presbyterian Church of McAllen. Church leadership and its congregants are a shining example of what the 15th District of Texas has to offer

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Trevino's Auto Mart, a family owned business in McAllen that, for thirty years, has been a model small business. Throughout its tenure, Trevino's Auto Mart has survived periods of economic instability and fierce competition.

In 1988, Trevino's Auto Mart had just two cars on its lot. Now, after years of hard work and providing quality service, Trevino's Auto Mart has nearly eighty cars and has earned the respect of many in the Rio Grande Valley and across the state of Texas.

As a member of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, Trevino's Auto Mart has demonstrated its commitment to upholding an unparalleled standard of ethics. Finally, as the only independent dealer with a partnership with BBVA Compass, Trevino's Auto Mart has shown that it too can compete for more business and clients.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to represent the hardworking individuals at Trevino's Auto Mart and recognize this second-generation family owned business for its three decades of success in the 15th District of Texas.