Henry Cuellar

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this important legislation that Mr. Engel has been working on, along with the ranking member, Mr. Peter King of New York. This is a piece of legislation that will help those employees that have been working for our country. I would ask all Members to support this important legislation.

Mr. CUELLAR. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3978) to amend the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to accept and use gifts for otherwise authorized activities of the Center for Domestic Preparedness that are related to preparedness for and response to terrorism, and for other purposes.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill and yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3978, which is sponsored by my friend from Alabama (Mr. Rogers). I am pleased to serve with Mr. Rogers on the Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response Subcommittee. He is the ranking member and works with us in a very bipartisan manner. I thank him for his service. Mr. Rogers' district is home to the Center For Domestic Preparedness. It is the premier training site for our Nation's first responders, and it is the Department of Homeland Security's only federally chartered weapons of mass destruction training center. DHS has facilitated training at the center for thousands of first responders from all 50 States, territories and the District of Columbia. Given the center's prominence in the first responders' community, it often receives offers of gifts and donations from a variety of sources. These donations and services include training, displays, emergency response equipment, and offers of guest lectures. These donations and gifts would strengthen the center's ability to offer high-quality emergency response training. Unfortunately, the center currently lacks the legal authority at this time to accept these types of services. H.R. 3978 will permit the Secretary of Homeland Security to accept and use gifts for otherwise authorized activities of the Center for Domestic Preparedness that are related to preparedness for and in response to terrorism. The legislation further directs DHS to report annually to the Congress on any gifts that were accepted in the preceding year and how they have contributed to the center's mission. Other DHS-supported training centers are permitted to accept gifts and donations, and it is past due to give the Center for Domestic Preparedness the same authority. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 3978. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this important Homeland Security legislation. The gentleman from Alabama has worked very hard, has been very dedicated in this piece of legislation, and I would ask all my colleagues to support this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th anniversary of the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center serving Laredo, Texas, Webb County, and surrounding areas. This center is nationally renowned and serves a wide range of comprehensive services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, ideological assessment, counseling, and social services. The late Mrs. Ruthe B. Cowl founded the Center in 1958 with a mission to establish a treatment center for people with disabilities of all kinds. Formerly known as the Laredo Rehabilitation Center, the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center assists to the needs of disabled, physically challenged and handicapped individuals through a series of treatments and services. This grand initiative started on modest means of two small rooms of an old Health Department in 1959. Since 1966, the Center has continued to expand. The Center was renamed by Board Resolution to the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center in 1970 to honor Mrs. Cowl for her tireless efforts for disabled services. Today, the Center stands as a beautiful, modern facility of nearly 33,000 square feet. The Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center has been acclaimed at the State and National levels for being a pacesetter in the services provided in the area of rehabilitation. The Center is responsible for bringing many firsts to the Laredo and surrounding areas. The Center plays a unique role in the community for achieving its mission to provide specialized services to those with birth defects, strokes, brain injuries, amputations, emotional problems and other physical conditions that impact quality of life. For 50 years, the Center has ensured that the certified, dedicated staff equipped with the best equipment and services are able to serve the community. The Center is a nonprofit organization which serves an average of 135 patients per day. It has provided millions of therapy visits to all in need regardless of the patient's ability to pay. The dedication, passion, and commitment that the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center has provided for the past 50 years have been a great service to the community. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center. The Center is celebrating 50 years of service and continuing its mission to assist all disabled, handicapped and physically challenged individuals who deserve quality life and treatment. I thank you for this time.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3980) to provide for identifying and eliminating redundant reporting requirements and developing meaningful performance metrics for homeland security preparedness grants, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill and yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Congress instructed FEMA in the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 and in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to develop performance metrics for its homeland security grants programs. As the House Committee on Homeland Security discovered in our October 27 subcommittee hearing I held with my ranking member hearing on emergency communications, these requirements remain poorly implemented and difficult to comprehend. What is most disconcerting is that FEMA still cannot determine our Nation's overall preparedness or how homeland security grants have helped to protect our Nation from acts of terrorism. It is for these reasons that I come to you today to ask for your support of H.R. 3980, the Redundancy Elimination and Enhancement Performance for Preparedness Grants Act. This legislation would require FEMA to work in conjunction with State, local, tribal and territorial stakeholders to develop a plan to do the following things: Streamline homeland security grant reporting requirements, rules and regulations to eliminate redundant reporting; Create a strategy including a timetable for establishing the much- needed performance metrics for grant programs to ensure that the funds are being directed to the areas where they will be best spent; Require FEMA to take an inventory of each of the homeland security grant programs to include the purpose, objectives and performance goals for each. The plan will be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees no later than 120 days after the bill's enactment. It will be updated biannually to ensure that the committee is able to maintain a watchful eye and the oversight on redundancies in the law that might confuse the grant recipients at the local level. This bill will help identify inefficiencies with the DHS grants programs and this bill will increase the quality of service received by DHS grant recipients. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC, December 1, 2009. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson: I write to you regarding H.R. 3980, the ``Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act''. H.R. 3980 contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious manner and, accordingly, I will not seek a sequential referral of the bill. However, I agree to waive consideration of this bill with the mutual understanding that my decision to forgo a sequential referral of the bill does not waive, reduce, or otherwise affect the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure over H.R. 3980. Further, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure reserves the right to seek the appointment of conferees during any House-Senate conference convened on this legislation on provisions of the bill that are within the Committee's jurisdiction. I ask for your commitment to support any request by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the appointment of conferees on H.R. 3980 or similar legislation. Please place a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's jurisdictional interest in the Committee Report on H.R. 3980 and in the Congressional Record consideration of the measure in the House. I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass this important legislation. Sincerely, James L. Oberstar, Chairman.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as you heard, this is commonsense legislation that will streamline FEMA's efforts to enhance our Nation's preparedness and response capacity. All we're trying to do is to make sure that we get rid of any unnecessary rules and regulations that cause our local folks problems. Number two, we're also trying to make sure that we measure the results. If we're going to spend billions of dollars on grants, we've just got to make sure that we measure those particular results. The bottom line is, Mr. Speaker, we're trying to focus on the customers, and the customers are the recipients of these grants. I certainly want to thank our ranking member, Mr. Rogers. He's done an outstanding job there in the committee. I look forward to working with him not only on this legislation to make it law but certainly on other pieces of legislation. I urge all my colleagues to vote ``aye.''

Mr. CUELLAR. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Senior District Judge Solomon Casseb, Jr., for his dedication and contributions to the city of San Antonio and South Texas community. Judge Casseb was born in 1915 in San Antonio, Texas. He attended St. Mary's University and University of Texas Law. By 1938, he was admitted to practice and later was enlisted as a Private in the United States Air Force at the break of World War II. After his service overseas, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Major to return home to a private practice of law. Thereafter, he was appointed for 2 terms as Judge of the 57th District Court and later served as Presiding Judge of the District Courts of Bexar County, as well as Presiding Judge for the Fourth Administrative District. It was 1985 when Judge Casseb acquired senior status and began serving as Senior District Judge of Texas. Shortly after in 1987, he received the Texas Bar Foundation's Outstanding Jurist Award. He was a member of the Advisory Committee to the Supreme Court of Texas and the Joint Task Force. Judge Casseb's contribution to the community of law was further recognized when he presided over the critical phases of the Pennzoil versus Texaco case, which resulted in the largest jury award in American jurisprudence. The judgment of that case has been upheld by the Appellate Courts of Texas and proves monumental to the state and Judge Casseb's work. The progression of Judge Casseb's career went hand and hand with the numerous awards, recognitions, and appointments he received. Early on in his career, he was chosen the Outstanding Ex-Student of St. Mary's University. In 1965, Judge Casseb was named Outstanding Judge of 1965 by the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Thereafter, he received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the San Antonio Bar Association, San Antonio Bar Foundation and the Laredo/Webb County Bar Association. By 1991, Judge Casseb was named Mr. South Texas at the Annual Washington Birthday Celebration in Laredo. A year later, the University of Texas Law School established the Judge Solomon Casseb, Jr., School in his honor. Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had the time to recognize the dedication, accomplishments, and commitment of the late Senior District Judge Solomon Casseb, Jr., and I thank you for this time.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of today's Coast Guard Authorization Act, H.R. 3619. I commend the distinguished chairman and the ranking member for their work on this excellent piece of legislation. The Coast Guard is an integral part of making our country safe. They conduct daily missions to protect our ports, our waterways and the marine transportation system. I authored a provision included in this bill to require the Coast Guard to step up border-security efforts on the navigable portions of the Rio Grande, which are international waters. Currently, the Coast Guard is only able to patrol a very small portion of the Rio Grande twice each quarter. This forces local agencies and the U.S. Border Patrol to concentrate the majority of their time and effort on the 1,200 miles of the river banks, instead of the international boundary waters of the Rio Grande. Along the Rio Grande, the Federal and local officials are being confronted with a multitude of security issues, including border violence, narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, and even diseased bodies floating down the river. By analyzing the current mission and identifying needs and determining how to increase the presence of the Coast Guard in this area, we can help address these local needs and keep our communities safe. Also there is a piece of clarifying language included in the manager's amendment today that directs the Coast Guard, in conducting the analysis, to work with all necessary and appropriate entities, including Customs and Border Patrol, and local entities with local expertise. Increased cooperation and partnership between local entities and Federal entities will help identify the needs and more efficiently allocate resources. We will continue to fight to protect our communities and enhance security along the border. Mr. Chairman, I applaud you for the continuing work you have been doing on this important bill, and I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize retirement of Monsignor Thomas A. Davis and his dedication and service as a Pastor and community leader in Laredo, Texas. Monsignor Davis was born in Tipperary, Ireland on May 31, 1933 to Joseph and Brigid Davis. He has conducted missionary work and been involved with the Catholic Church for many years. More than a half a century has passed since Monsignor Davis began. He has spent his career in five different nations, driven by his devotion and humble beginnings. He will retire on October 28, 2009. He began his career in 1954 in Ireland and would spend six years in a Monastery. Thereafter, he would spend another six years at St. Kieran's Seminary in Ireland. In 1968, he was ordained for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas. In the years following his ordainment, he earned his Masters in Education Degree from Our Lady of the Lakes College in 1974. The next few decades, he continued faith-based and Church involvement in Robstown, Texas to Arteaga, Mexico to help communities and churches. His work would continue as his passion with his faith grew stronger. His contributions to Laredo, Texas have proven monumental for the community, spending a total of 31 years at San Agustin Church, Mother Cabrini Church, and Saint Patrick's Church. In 2003, Msgr. Davis established the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at St. Patrick's Church, which ensures Laredo residents have a place to go in times of need at any hour. This chapel is the only one of its kind in the area and is a great contribution to the efforts of the church and outreach. Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had the time to recognize the faith and dedication of Monsignor Thomas A. Davis.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise again to support the Solar Technology Roadmap Act and of course Mr. Hastings and the work that he has done. I had offered an amendment that got included to authorize the Secretary of Energy to study micropower solar power technology used in underserved communities that lack basic electric and traditional powers. I think my friends from Texas are familiar with the colonias. They understand that this is important to provide power to those areas that have literally no electricity. And this particular bill and this particular amendment will go a long way to make sure that these communities are provided the support they need. What this calls for is for the Secretary to provide a study to take the resources that we have, especially in south Texas, the sunlight, and put it to work to power these communities. We have worked together to work and put some micro power stations to use in areas like Webb County in south Texas, and I believe that by getting these recommendations to be sent to Congress for increasing assets to solar energy and to help address the problems that exist in those low-income communities, this will go a long way. We can harness this 21st century technology to bring these areas out of 19th century conditions. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you very much, and also Ms. Giffords, and our ranking member. I urge Members to vote for the Hastings amendment, and of course for this bill. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support the manager's amendment to the Solar Technology Roadmap Act. I authored an amendment, included in this manager's amendment, to authorize the Secretary of Energy to study micro power solar power technology use in underserved communities that lack basic electric or traditional power infrastructure. I thank the distinguished Chairman Ms. Giffords for including my amendment in the manager's amendment. This important amendment will go a long way towards helping communities along the southern border. In my home state of Texas, many of these communities are called colonias. They are commonly found on the United States/Mexico border, in underdeveloped areas across the state, and also in areas of New Mexico, Arizona, and California. These communities exist with conditions typically found only in developing nations--no plumbing, no roads, and no power. Texas has both the largest number of colonias and the largest colonia population. According to the State of Texas, about 400,000 Texans live in colonias. The development of Texas colonias dates back to least the 1950s, when developers created unincorporated subdivisions using agriculturally worthless land or land that lay in floodplains or in other rural properties. They divided the land into small lots, put in little or no infrastructure, and then sold them to low-income individuals seeking affordable housing. This study will hopefully take a resource that is vast in South Texas, sunlight, and put it to work to serve and power these communities. I have worked in the past to put these micro power stations to use in Webb County, to provide small, isolated communities with power, and this amendment builds on that to hopefully expand power to so many more families of South Texas. The manager's amendment includes my plan to direct the Secretary of Energy to present to Congress recommendations for increasing access to solar energy and to help address the problems that exist in these low income communities. We can harness this 21st century technology to bring these areas out of 19th century conditions. Mr. Chairman, I applaud your leadership on this important Manager's amendment, and I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse was founded in 1990 by a group of concerned citizens who wished to address issues related to substance abuse; and Whereas, October 15th is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day; and Whereas, Latinos represent 15% of the U.S. population, but make up 18% of new HIV infections; and Whereas, Latino women are infected with HIV at a rate of up to four times greater than other women; and Whereas, citizens from Hebbronville, Zapata, Roma, Rio Grande established the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse 19 years ago as a nonprofit agency; and Whereas, the agency was created out of a grant from the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse to develop a Statewide Initiative Council for the four county regions consisting of Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb, and Zapata; and Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse was established to provide screening, assessment, referrals related to substance abuse, and education services to the region for substance abuse; and Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has expanded its services to include HIV prevention, treatment, and Voces Fronterizas--an HIV prevention and intervention program from the CDC; and Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has expanded their role to encompass not only that of being a Clinical Training Institute but also providing intervention outreach studies to impoverished border communities like the colonias; and Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has served over 12,000 clients through HIV programs in the past 6 years; and Whereas, the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has invested over $1,000,000 annually on HIV programs; and Be it hereby resolved, that Congressman Henry Cuellar, in representing the 28th Congressional District of the State of Texas, honors the contributions of the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for their exceptional service to South Texas communities.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Thank you very much for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions of a fine public servant in Laredo, Texas, Judge George P. Kazen. This is an individual that has dedicated the majority of his life to upholding the justice system in south Texas. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter appointed Judge George P. Kazen to be a United States district judge. For four decades, he served south Texas as a tireless advocate for fairness under the law. From 1996 to 2003, he was the chief judge of the United States Southern District, which includes the areas of Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Laredo, Corpus Christi, McAllen and Brownsville in Texas. Judge Kazen is also a JAG officer for the United States Air Force, and in 1965 he received the United States Air Force Commendation Medal. Judge Kazen is married to Barbara Ann and they have four children. He is, without a doubt, a selfless public servant who has been a tremendous credit to the city of Laredo and the State of Texas and our great Nation. I also want to recognize Judge Kazen's Federal magistrate, the Honorable Marcel Notzen. Since 1967, Marcel Notzen, the magistrate, served for four decades in front and behind the bench, as an attorney, as a law partner, and most recently as a U.S. magistrate for the Southern District. Judge Notzen is married to Nora Lee, and they have six children. It is with great pride that I authored this legislation, H.R. 2423, to name the United States Courthouse located at 1300 Victoria Street in Laredo, Texas, as the George B. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse in honor of George Kazen. It is also my legislative intent, Mr. Speaker, to name the jury room in the United States courthouse as the Marcel C. Notzen, II Jury Room. I think this is a way to thank these two individuals who have worked so hard for their Nation as judges. I want to thank all of my Texas colleagues for helping me recognize these exceptional individuals. By recognizing these individuals, their contributions will be remembered and they will continue to inspire those individuals who follow their lead in preserving the American justice system. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the momentous 40th anniversary of the Texas A&M International University. Texas A&M International University first began as a ``center'' in August 1970 under Texas A&I University in Kingsville in order to fill a demand in teacher education and business disciplines. Seven years later, the name changed to Laredo State University and in 1993, the institution became Texas A&M International University. In the fall of 1995, the Texas Legislature authorized the expansion of a four-year undergraduate program status with an eventual authorization for doctoral programs. Today, the university has been at the forefront of providing higher education and cultural opportunities to students of Laredo and surrounding south Texas region. Texas A&M International University consists of the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and a NCAA Division II Athletics program. Undoubtedly, this university serves as a unique asset to the fundamental groundwork for progressive and influential Hispanic serving institutions. TAMIU has 92 percent of students identifying themselves as minority, including, Hispanic, African- American, Asian and other. Additionally, a rising number of baccalaureate graduates have been first-generation college students. This university has seen enrollment growth of approximately 10 percent every academic semester and recently welcomed its largest freshman class ever. The growth in admission numbers has provided social strides towards students attending the highest quality programs built on solid academic foundations. Over the years, TAMIU has increased success for the development in the community, educational achievement, and promising academic endeavors. I am happy to have this opportunity to congratulate Texas A&M International University on the occasion of its 40th anniversary, and I wish all staff and students many more years of success.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 768, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the leadership of the South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (STARS) organization. This nonprofit organization has been critical in helping local students obtain higher education at schools of their choosing. The South Texas Academic Rising Scholars was established in October 2002, with the goal of making higher education accessible to the students of south Texas. Higher education is the gateway to advancing one's future. As one of eight children born to migrant parents in the border town of Laredo, Texas, I value the significance education has in our lives. There's no doubt that my education has charted the course of my public service career. As a Hispanic-American, education helped me defy odds which still exist for millions of minorities today. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month we should recognize the role higher education plays in progressing minority communities and dissolving the disparities. With education comes opportunity; it's an undeniable equation that makes a difference in people's lives. The STARS Student Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to qualified students of south Texas annually and partners with area colleges and universities to better serve the students of south Texas. To this day, STARS has been able to award thousands of scholarships to south Texas students. I join the organization in the belief that education is essential to the growth and enhancement of our community. The success of STARS is not only due to those managing the program, but also in large part due to generous individuals, businesses, and organizations that support the organization. I am proud to say that 100 percent of every dollar contributed by sponsors goes toward student scholarships. The board of directors is comprised of a diverse group of community leaders dedicated to helping south Texas students achieve higher education. This truly is a grassroots effort that has given thousands students in south Texas opportunities that wouldn't have existed otherwise. Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had the time to recognize the goals and endeavors of the South Texas Academic Rising Scholars.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Mr. Pedro Devora, whose barbershop business recently celebrated 50 years of operations in downtown Floresville, Texas. Pedro Devora was born on May 22, 1926 and raised in Tordio, Texas where he attended school until the third grade. Mr. Devora worked in the area until he joined the U.S. Navy on October 1, 1944 to serve his country. While in the Navy, he served during the invasion of Okinawa that began on April 1, 1945. During that mission, his ship was hit in battle. Mr. Devora would survive a night in the water until he was rescued the following morning. During his time in the Navy, his hard work ethic gained him several promotions from his superiors. In fact, in less than a week he went from working in the laundry section to becoming an assistant supervisor, and later supervisor. In 1946, Mr. Devora returned to the United States and received an honorable discharge. Following his time in the Navy, he returned home to Tordio and within a year he decided to attend Barber School. While in attendance, Mr. Devora married his sweetheart, Maria Flores on November 3, 1947. In 1948, Mr. Devora received his Barber's License and began work in Floresville, Texas. Since returning from the Navy, he has been active in several political races, such as those of Lyndon Baines Johnson, Harry Truman, Gus Garcia, Carlos Cadena, Judge Mike Machado, Congressman Chick Kazen, Albert Pena, Judge Esquivel, Pete Tijerina, and almost every Democratic President since 1946. On August 12th, 1959, he opened a barbershop with his longtime friend Raymond Lucio. Mr. Devora and Mr. Lucio spent over 49 years as coworkers until Mr. Lucio's passing. The business remains in operation to this day and remains a pillar of the Floresville community. Madam Speaker, I am honored to have had the time to recognize the many accomplishments and service of Mr. Pedro Devora, and I thank you for this time.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.