Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 173rd anniversary of the City of Brownsville, Texas. It is an honor to recognize 173 years of growth and resilience in a city defined by its rich history, diversity, and welcoming spirit.

Founded in 1853 following the conclusion of the Mexican-American War, Brownsville has been shaped by the shared history of the settlers and Tejanos alike. Before its incorporation, the area was part of the greater Matamoros region across the Rio Grande River. The city was named in honor of General Jacob Brown, who gave his life defending Fort Brown during the conflict.

Following its establishment, Brownsville quickly emerged as a center for trade and cotton production, growing into a vital regional hub linking the United States and Mexico. The city also played a role in shaping national history, as events in the region helped launch the career of future President Zachary Taylor.

Over the past 173 years, Brownsville has experienced profound change and growth, and today it stands as a testament to the strength, determination, and promise of South Texas.

Mr. Speaker, cities like Brownsville are what make our Nation strong and vibrant. I am proud to represent Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley. I congratulate the city on 173 years of success, and I look forward to many more years of progress to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Nelda Olivo for over 30 years of public service to the City of Corpus Christi and the Port of Corpus Christi.

Ms. Olivo has dedicated her life to public service and, in doing so, has facilitated the growth of our Coastal Bend Region. She started her career in public service in the City of Corpus Christi's Housing and Community Development Department, where she worked tirelessly to improve housing and infrastructure for her community.

In 1993, she began her work in one of the most important ports in Texas, the Port of Corpus Christi. She has served there as a hard- working liaison between the port and several local, state, and federal governments.

Her work goes far beyond Corpus Christi. She currently serves on the American Association of Port Authorities Government Relations Committee, the Texas Port Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, the Gulf Ports Association of the Americas Government Affairs Committee, Port Industries of Corpus Christi, and the Coastal Bend Council of Governments.

In these many roles, she has exemplified leadership, and integrity. I am proud to represent constituents like Ms. Olivo every day in Congress, who are pillars in our community and cleared the path for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of South Texas, I wish to honor Ms. Nelda Olivo on her retirement and for her service to the people of South Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Firefighter Lionel Mendoza on the occasion of his retirement after 36 years and 7 months of dedicated service with the Corpus Christi Fire Department. Throughout his distinguished career, Firefighter Mendoza responded to thousands of emergency incidents and served our community with professionalism, courage, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.

Mendoza served at Firehouses 1, 3, 8, 10, and 18, where he earned the respect of his colleagues and set a strong example for generations of firefighters to follow. His leadership, integrity, and devotion to duty have left a lasting impact on the Corpus Christi Fire Department and the community he so faithfully protected.

As he concludes his final shift, we extend our deepest gratitude to Firefighter Mendoza and his family for their sacrifices and service. I congratulate him on a remarkable career and wish him continued success, good health, and fulfillment in his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Moisses Gonzalez for his distinguished career in law enforcement, his exceptional service to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and his service to the American people.

Mr. Gonzalez currently serves as Headquarters Unit Chief in the Cross Border Financial Crimes Center within Homeland Security Investigations. There he oversees a national and international portfolio targeting transnational criminal organizations engaged in identity fraud and the unlawful acquisition of public benefits. His work plays a critical role in protecting the integrity of our Nation's financial systems and identification documents.

Mr. Gonzalez began his federal service as a Border Patrol Agent after starting his law enforcement career as a police officer in Brownsville, Texas.

Throughout his career, Mr. Gonzalez has held numerous senior leadership roles of increasing responsibility. He has served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Firearms and Tactical Programs, where he oversaw training for more than 14,000 employees and managing agency- wide procurement of ammunition and tactical equipment. He also served as Assistant Special Agent in Charge in San Francisco, where he led investigative divisions focused on human trafficking, narcotics, and child exploitation.

Mr. Gonzalez's service also includes roles as Headquarters Unit Chief managing a budget exceeding $15 million, Supervisory Special Agent and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force Commander in Brownsville, Texas, and National Operations Manager at HSI Headquarters directing national criminal investigative priorities. Earlier in his career, he served as a Special Agent with the United States Customs Service, conducting investigations into transnational criminal organizations.

A graduate of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, with a degree in Criminal Justice, Mr. Gonzalez exemplifies dedication, leadership, and service above self. I commend him for his decades of commitment to public safety and national security and am honored to recognize his accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the City of Los Fresnos Chief of Police, Hector Gonzalez, whose retirement marks the conclusion of forty-five years of outstanding service in law enforcement.

Chief Gonzalez's leadership has kept our community safe, enabled our continued growth, and made the Rio Grande Valley a desirable place to live.

As a mentor to countless men and women in uniform, he instilled core values of accountability, transparency, and respect, which will leave a lasting and positive impact on the Los Fresnos Police Department.

Chief Gonzalez served Los Fresnos with honor, integrity and courage, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of everyone in our community.

I am honored to represent some of the best of South Texas, including those who put their lives on the line each day to keep our communities safe. Under Chief Gonzalez's leadership, Los Fresnos Police has gone above and beyond, fostering trust between law enforcement and the community they serve.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful South Texas, I thank Chief Hector Gonzalez for his service to the people of Los Fresnos and congratulate him on his much-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Most Reverend Mario Alberto Aviles, C.O., on his appointment by Pope Leo XIV to serve as the ninth Bishop of Corpus Christi.

In his previous role as Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Brownsville, he served our region and uplifted those in need through his faith and compassion.

His recent appointment is a testament to this leadership and the humility with which he serves. Bishop Aviles has consistently upheld the values of integrity and compassion that the Catholic church is proud to represent.

This calling comes at a time when our Nation is facing hardship, and our people are divided. I can think of no better servant of God to provide ministry to our community.

As South Texas continues to grow and navigate these complex challenges, Bishop Aviles' leadership has been essential in fostering hope, stability, and moral clarity for our community.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful South Texas, I wish to congratulate Most Reverend Mario Aviles, C.O., for his appointment as Bishop of Corpus Christi. I also wish to thank him for his service to the Rio Grande Valley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mr. Danny Cortez for his remarkable 40 years of dedicated service to our community through his career with Central Power & Light and later American Electric Power (AEP).

Mr. Cortez began his career on March 12, 1984, selected from a competitive pool of 448 applicants, and started his service as a meter reader with Central Power & Light. Through hard work, reliability, and a strong commitment to public service, he earned a promotion in 1985 to meter reader specialist, where he took on critical connect and disconnect responsibilities that ensured families and businesses across South Texas received reliable electric service.

Following the merger of Central Power & Light with American Electric Power, Mr. Cortez continued to distinguish himself. In 2000, he was promoted to supervisor. In this role, he led with professionalism and integrity, mentoring others and upholding the high standards essential to maintaining safe and dependable power infrastructure for our region.

After four decades of faithful service, Mr. Cortez retired in June 2024, leaving behind a legacy defined by dedication, perseverance, and pride in a job well done. His career reflects the vital role that utility workers play in keeping our communities running and our families safe.

I am proud to recognize Mr. Danny Cortez for his outstanding contributions and to thank him for a lifetime of service. His commitment exemplifies the professionalism and hard work that strengthen South Texas every day. I wish him continued health and happiness in his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Abraham Isaac Quintanilla, Jr., a devoted father and cultural figure whose influence helped shape one of the most iconic stories in American and Latin music.

Born on February 20, 1939, Quintanilla's life paralleled the gradual rise of Mexican American representation in U.S. popular culture. His story is intertwined with the history of Tejano music, a genre that celebrates two cultures by blending traditional Mexican folk sounds and American musical elements. Abraham Quintanilla was a Tejano artist and part of the musical group, Los Dinos. Throughout this time, Abraham had to navigate an industry that routinely dismissed Spanish-language music.

After marrying Marcella Samora in 1963 and eventually settling in Lake Jackson, Texas, he and his wife raised their three children, A.B., Suzette, and Selena, where he created a home that shared a love for music. After economic hardship in the early 1980's, Mr. Quintanilla committed to managing his children as a family band, Selena y Los Dinos, guiding them through years of performances across Texas and the Southwest. He devoted particular care to Selena's development, ensuring she mastered Spanish-language performance in a genre where women were typically overlooked.

Under his management, Selena rose to become the ``Queen of Tejano Music.'' She broke barriers in a male-dominated genre, earned the admiration of millions, and achieved milestones that reshaped the industry, including a Grammy Award and a multiplatinum album. Her career offered representation and pride to Mexican Americans nationwide and demonstrated the power of cultural authenticity.

Following Selena's tragic death in 1995, Mr. Quintanilla dedicated his life to preserving her legacy. Through Q-Productions and the Selena Foundation, he worked to honor her memory and support underprivileged children, ensuring that her impact would endure.

Mr. Speaker, Abraham Quintanilla, Jr.'s legacy highlights the importance of family, perseverance, and cultural appreciation. His life's work helped expand the American musical landscape and uplift South Texas voices. May his legacy continue to inspire others.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, Brownsville native Seaman Angelina Petra Resendiz was tragically murdered while serving our Nation at Naval Station Norfolk.

Angelina was a culinary specialist whose life and service to our country was cut short.

Despite many warnings from her friends and family of her disappearance, the U.S. Navy mislabeled her as an ``unauthorized absence'' instead of the ``duty status whereabouts unknown.''

This was tragic. I was proud to honor Seaman Resendiz by securing language in this year's NDAA to conduct oversight of the Department's application of designations in cases involving missing servicemembers who are later found deceased. This is an important step towards ensuring that any servicemembers who go missing receive a proper classification and investigatory response to assure their life has every shot of living.

Today, I ask us to continue looking out for our servicemembers at home and abroad to assure their safety and security.

Mr. Speaker, due to an important constituent engagement, I was not present to vote for Roll Call No. 335 and Roll Call No. 336.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 335. I support the bipartisan Congressional Award Program which encourages our youth to develop valuable life skills, foster citizenship, and build self-confidence.

Also, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 336. I support the transfer of a vacant parcel of property to Perry County for public use, particularly for youth programs, agricultural education, and conservation efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officers Gonzalo Rubio and Frank Maldonado of the Brownsville Police Department for an extraordinary act of compassion that reflects the very best of public service and community-centered policing.

In the early morning hours of December 5, 2025, while on routine patrol in downtown Brownsville, Texas, Officers Rubio and Maldonado noticed a man lying on the sidewalk wrapped in a blanket. With temperatures in the low 50's and cold, breezy conditions, the officers stopped to conduct a welfare check. Upon approaching the individual, they observed that he was shivering, soaked from the damp blanket he was using for cover. As they further assessed his condition, the officers realized the man was not fully clothed and exposed to the elements.

Recognizing the immediate safety concern, Officers Rubio and Maldonado attempted to locate an open business nearby to purchase clothing. When they found that all downtown stores were closed at that hour, they chose not to treat the situation as routine or walk away. Instead, they drove to a nearby Walmart and used their own personal funds to purchase warm, dry clothing. The officers returned with the items and ensured the man was safe and comfortable.

This quiet, selfless act speaks volumes about the character of Officers Rubio and Maldonado. Their actions exemplify the Brownsville Police Department's guiding principle of ``Service From the Heart,'' demonstrating that true public safety is grounded not only in enforcement, but in empathy, dignity, and care for the most vulnerable among us.

Officers Gonzalo Rubio and Frank Maldonado went beyond the call of duty to help a fellow human being in need. Their actions are a powerful reminder that policing at its best is about compassion, humanity, and service to the community. I am proud to recognize them for their commitment to the people of Brownsville.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of Mess Management Specialist Third Class (MS3) Ronchester M. Santiago, who gave this life in the line of duty during the terrorist attack on the USS Cole on October 12, 2000.

While the USS Cole was refueling at the Port of Aden, Yemen, a terrorist detonated an explosive alongside the ship's port side. This attack claimed the lives of 17 American sailors, and injured dozens more. Among those lost was MS3 Ronchester Santiago, a young man whose unwavering dedication to his country and his shipmates exemplified the highest ideals of the United States Navy.

Born and raised in Kingsville, Texas, Petty Officer Santiago embraced both service and leadership from a young age. A graduate of H.M. King High School and a member of its ROTC program, he answered the call to serve soon after earning his high school diploma. His four years in the Navy were marked by diligence and integrity.

Petty Officer Santiago spent three years stationed at the Charlestown Navy Yard as a crew member of the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship in the world. His dedicated work as a cook and his cheerful personality made him an uplifting presence aboard ``Old Ironsides,'' and one of the ship's galleys was later named in his honor, a lasting tribute to the legacy he left behind.

Upon joining the crew of the USS Cole, Petty Officer Santiago continued to bring professionalism, optimism, and resolve to each mission. He took great pride in serving his country and looked forward to studying electrical engineering at The University of Texas.

His service is a testament to the countless young Americans who step forward each day to defend our freedoms.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Petty Officer Santiago, his family, friends, and all who carry his memory forward. May his legacy of courage and dedication continue to inspire future generations of Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ruben J. Saldana, a dedicated public servant whose retirement marks

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Nina Martinez for winning the Lone Star Emmy Award in the Historical/Cultural--Short Form or Long Form Content category. This outstanding achievement is a testament to her dedication to telling meaningful stories that educate, uplift, and empower viewers throughout Corpus Christi and the entire Coastal Bend region.

Ms. Martinez began her journey in journalism at Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi and has since devoted more than two decades to television broadcasting and news reporting. Since joining KAJA Telemundo Corpus Christi in 2015 as the main evening anchor, she has become a trusted and respected voice--consistently delivering accurate, compelling, and community-centered reporting.

Throughout her career, Ms. Martinez has demonstrated not only excellence in journalism but a deep commitment to public service. She has established herself as a strong advocate for the Latino community, particularly on issues related to immigration, economic opportunity, and social equity. In addition to her work on air, she serves on the Board of the West Side Business Association, where she helps support local businesses and advance community-driven initiatives that strengthen the region.

Ms. Martinez is equally dedicated to shaping the next generation of journalists. Through mentorship, training, and professional guidance, she has invested countless hours in helping young media professionals develop their skills and pursue successful careers in broadcasting.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Ms. Nina Martinez for her exceptional career, commitment, advocacy, and her well-deserved Lone Star Emmy Award. She represents the very best of South Texas, and I congratulate her on this remarkable achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officer David Hernandez, Jr. of the Weslaco Police Department in Weslaco, Texas, for his exceptional service and dedication to our community.

Officer Hernandez has long demonstrated not only professionalism, but strong instincts and sound judgement--qualities that were crucial on November 2, 2025.

On that day, Officer Hernandez responded to a routine disturbance call at a local cafe. During the transport, the patient suddenly became aphasic with eye deviation. Relying on his quick thinking and training, Officer Hernandez made the decision to transport the patient to the Knapp Medical Center Emergency Department.

Because of his swift action, the medical team was able to activate a stroke alert upon arrival. The patient was soon diagnosed with a vessel occlusion and was experiencing a life-threatening stroke. Thanks to Officer Hernandez's decisive response, the patient was quickly transferred for higher-level care and given the best chance of survival.

Mr. Speaker, Officer Hernadez exemplifies the courage and commitment to public service that define South Texas law enforcement. I am proud to represent him in Congress and recognize the exceptional judgement he displayed on November 2, 2025, as well as his continued service to the people of Weslaco and the Rio Grande Valley.