Henry Cuellar

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Master Sergeant Jose N. Guerra. Master Sergeant Guerra was born in Laredo, Texas on June 17, 1938 to Jose and Anselma Guerra. Eventually, he joined the military where he served 28 years, in the United States Army, before retiring. During his time, he served in Korea, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Desert Shield. Master Sergeant Guerra was also a dedicated civil servant for over 40 years with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Along with his distinguished career, Master Sergeant Guerra also served as an active member of the Army Masonic Lodge No. 1105 and the Alzafar Shrine. From his brave service to our country to his desire to aid those in need, Master Sergeant Guerra's dedication to serving his country will not be forgotten. His dedication and service to our Nation is a legacy his family, friends, and associates will always remember. He is survived by his wife, Elva V. Guerra, sons, Jose N. Guerra, Jr. and Juan M. Guerra; grandchildren, Xavier, Andrew, Vivian and Olivia; brothers and sisters, Jorge, Juan, David, Norma Lee and Odeila Micaela Fualkner. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize Master Sergeant Jose N. Guerra.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, my flight from San Antonio, TX, to Washington, D.C., was delayed due to inclement weather. As a result, I was unable to return in time to take Tuesday evening's votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call 18, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 4318, Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act of 2018; and YEA on Roll Call 19, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 117, Alex Diekmann Peak Designation Act of 2017.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for yielding and for her leadership on this issue dealing with veterans. I also want to thank my friend from Montana for his leadership in support of veterans across the Nation. Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise to present H.R. 1208, which will rename the post office facility in my district as the Converse Veterans Post Office Building. Across my district, I have fine men and women of all walks of life that have honorably served our country. It is critical that we honor their service and their dedication to our Nation. Converse alone is home to over 3,000 veterans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Dedicating this post office to our veterans will serve as an enduring reminder of the sacrifices that our friends, our neighbors, our families have made while serving their country. These individuals put country ahead of self, and I am proud to recognize them with the dedicating of this post office facility. Today, I want to acknowledge one sacrifice from one individual; that is an individual from Converse, Texas, a veteran by the name of Quintin E. Cain. Mr. Cain served 23 years in the Army as a medic, where he would receive numerous medals and recognitions. After being honorably discharged, he continued to serve the country, his country, by using the medical training that he had to train combat medic students as a civilian. We owe our freedom to veterans such as Mr. Cain, which is why I am recognizing him and, of course, the other veterans, by dedicating this post office. He is just one example of many veterans who have made countless sacrifices for their country in the face of danger. The bravery and the commitment of our veterans to our Nation demonstrates what it really means to be an American, the essence of being an American. I would also like to take a moment to thank the veterans organizations throughout my district for their tireless work in providing care to our veterans when they need it. There are good men and women who work hard and provide that care to our veterans. Let us remember and express gratitude to these courageous people, the veterans, their families, as well as their care providers. In the words of President John F. Kennedy, when he said, ``A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors and the men it remembers''--and I would like to add, and women also--correct President John F. Kennedy. This bill allows us to show our appreciation for the veterans, the men and women of Converse, Texas, and across the Nation, and make sure that their service and sacrifice to our country is not forgotten.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 75th anniversary of CPS Energy's outstanding commitment to public utility and service for the City of San Antonio. CPS Energy, formerly City Public Service, was acquired by the City of San Antonio in 1942. Throughout the 20th century, CPS Energy took part in a variety of business and service ventures. CPS Energy installed the first streetlight system downtown and introduced a customer service phone system in the 1950's. In the latter half of the 20th century, the company took part in the South Texas Project, a jointly owned nuclear power endeavor. Soon after, CPS Energy launched Project WARM helping those in need pay their winter utility bills. The project's fundraising efforts provided 4,000 families with assistance in the first years of its launch. In 2002, CPS Energy, in partnership with the City of San Antonio and Bexar County, established the Residential Energy Assistance Program. The nonprofit organization has raised $22.4 million and assisted more than 76,000 households housing low-income families with children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities. CPS Energy has made recent notable investments in emissions control technology in its coal-fired power plants and has contributed to the increase in use of lower carbon fuels with its 2012 acquisition of the Rio Nogales natural gas plant in Seguin, TX. A leader in Texas for solar generation and one of the largest consumers of wind energy in the nation, CPS Energy has made significant strides towards access to environmentally conscious energy. Through CPS Energy, the City of San Antonio has facilitated access to dependable and economical energy for 75 years. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize CPS Energy.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as one of the lead sponsors for the Fix NICS Act of 2017, I rise in support of this legislation which has been combined with the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which is, again, another section that I support, also. On the Fix NICS Act, I certainly want to thank Senator Cornyn, Representatives Culberson, Esty, Costello, and Aguilar for their leadership on this particular issue that we have been working on. A few weeks ago, 26 members of the Sutherland Springs community, which is in my district, were killed by someone who should have never had access to firearms. The investigation into the shooter revealed that the shooter had a criminal history. The Defense Department and the Air Force missed six times--six times--where the criminal justice process should have reported the history to the NICS database. As of 2016, the Air Force, which should have entered the Sutherland Springs shooter's criminal information, entered a total of one active record in the NICS record. If the Air Force would have met the minimum obligations, then the gunman never would have been able to legally purchase a firearm. This is why we introduced the Fix NICS Act of 2017. This legislation ensures that Federal and State authorities comply with existing laws to accurately report relevant criminal history-- accurately report these records to the NICS. It also provides consequences for Federal agencies who fail to report the relevant records and ensure that States improve their overall reporting. The Fix NICS Act is an important step to ensure that people like the Sutherland Springs shooter never slip through the cracks of the NICS database again. As to the reciprocity part of it, again, I know that both sides have spoken on that, but, again, as a supporter of the Second Amendment, I believe that the Second Amendment doesn't stop at political State lines. It is part of the U.S. Constitution and should apply across. So, again, I rise in support of this legislation, and I ask my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, I requested and was granted a leave of absence for the rest of the week to visit the community of Sutherland Springs following the recent shooting. For the information of our colleagues and my constituents, below is how I would have voted on the following votes I missed during this time period. Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call 617, on rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2201, Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act; YEA on Roll Call 618, on passage of the Veterans Crisis Line Study Act of 2017; YEA on Roll Call 619, on the passage of the Rush Amendment; YEA on Roll Call 620, on passage of H.R. 3043, Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017; YEA on Roll Call 621, on passage of Veterans Fair Debt Notice Act of 2016; and NAY on Roll Call 622, on passage of H.R. 2201, Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for yielding and for her kind words about the Tilden Veterans Post Office. I also want to thank my friend from Corpus Christi, Texas, for his kind words on the naming of this post office. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support and present H.R. 1207, which will name the post office facility in my district as the Tilden Veterans Post Office. Across my district, there are many examples of fine men and women who have honorably served our country. It is imperative that we honor their service and dedication to our Nation. Dedicating this post office to our veterans will serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifices that our friends, neighbors, and families made while serving their country. These are individuals who put country ahead of self and for whom I am proud to recognize with the dedicating of the post office facility. For example, as the gentlewoman from New Jersey said, Anselmo Villarreal of Tilden, Texas, was drafted in the Army in 1968. He served in Vietnam. After his service, Mr. Villarreal returned to Tilden and worked in a local plant for 28 years before retiring. This veteran also continues to serve his community by volunteering for local veterans service organizations. We owe our freedom to veterans like Mr. Villarreal and others, which is why I am recognizing him and the other veterans with the dedication of this post office. He is one example of many veterans who have made countless sacrifices for our country in the face of danger. The courage and dedication of our veterans toward our Nation demonstrates what it really means to be an American--the essence of being an American. I also thank the veterans from Tilden and McMullen County for their service and sacrifice for our country. I also thank the veterans organizations throughout my district for their tireless work in providing the care our veterans need. There are many local organizations like the veterans service offices in McMullen County that provide essential care to those who have returned home from service. Let us remember and express gratitude to these brave people: the veterans, their families, as well as the care providers. In the words of President John F. Kennedy: ``As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.''

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the University of Texas at San Antonio's Downtown Campus, which has since empowered its many students and alumni to pursue excellence both in academics and their careers. In September of 1991, the UTSA Strategic Plan established UTSA Downtown. In 1993, with the support of the Texas State Government, the South Texas Border Initiative was launched, allotting $20 million dollars for the UTSA Downtown Campus. With the acquisition of the Fiesta Plaza site gifted by Bill Miller Bar-B-Q Enterprises, and the groundbreaking of Frio Street Building in 1995, UTSA's Downtown Campus location was realized. Following the subsequent groundbreakings of additional buildings, in 2000, UTSA opened its doors to its first college based in the Downtown Campus: the College of Urban Programs, now the College of Public Policy. In 2002, The College of Architecture would become the second college based in the Downtown Campus. In the spring of 2004, UTSA expanded its campus from 11 acres to 18 acres with the acquisition of the Cattleman Square parking lot and nearby land later used for additional buildings. Since its inception, the campus has expanded to include two colleges, four academic buildings, and two departments in a third college. With a current enrollment of 4,000 students at the downtown campus, The University of Texas at San Antonio continues to be an exemplary institution serving the needs of those pursuing a high quality education and successful careers in the downtown San Antonio area. As a former chairman of the Subcommittee on Education for the Texas Legislature's Appropriations Committee, who worked to secure tuition revenue funding and other state funding for this university, it has been good to see it grow and develop. In addition, as the author of House Bill 713, that created Texas' grant program, it is good to see students at UTSA take advantage of this program. It is clear that this university will continue to thrive and I look forward to many more years of continued success. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize the 20th anniversary of the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for her condolences and her prayers for Sutherland Springs. Mr. Speaker, I also thank Mr. Byrne and, of course, Chairman Foxx, for their work on this particular bill. I thank Mr. Correa, Mr. Peterson, and the other supporters of this legislation. Prior to August 2015, the joint employer standard used by the NLRB made it easy to understand who is and who is not a joint employer. For decades, a joint employer relationship existed when one company exercised ``direct and immediate'' control over another company's workforce. However, as you know, under the case Browning-Ferris Industries, the NLRB departed from many years of legal precedent in August of 2015 by establishing a new, expanded joint employer standard. This standard could trigger employer liability by a company exercising vaguely defined indirect control over an employee. We have heard from local businesses from my district and across the State of Texas, and it is clear that this decision is causing them significant confusion. In my district--let's say in Laredo, Texas, there is a local restaurant owner who says that his restaurant currently employs close to 1,000 local employees. This expanded joint employer standard has limited his investment in his business and the number of workers that he has. Reverting back to the former joint employer standard that we had for so many years would allow him to hire the employees that he needs to hire and reinvest money. This new expanded standard makes it difficult for local franchisees like this one in Laredo to offer the employer relationship support from franchisers for the fear that these benefits could be used against them in a joint employer lawsuit. Those fears are well founded. For example, the Progressive Policy Institute, known for its pragmatic ideas, says that the expansion of this joint employer doctrine ``may do more harm than good.'' This is why I am supporting this legislation. We are asking that it revert back to the legal standard that we used for many years.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that we rise today to address the American people. Yesterday morning, a gunman stormed into a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, a small town of about 400 or 500 individuals, and brutally murdered 26 innocent lives, including at least 12 children, marking the worst shooting in Texas history. Today we grieve the horrific loss of dozens of innocent people. We pray for the victims' families, who are grasping for answers with broken hearts. I have spoken personally with Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt, County Commissioner Albert Gamez, and other citizens of that area to assist in any way that we can. In the coming hours and days, we will learn more about the victims of this tragedy, their names, their faces, their stories, the joy they brought their families and their friends. We are fully committed to helping Sutherland Springs recover from this senseless tragedy, and we ask every Member of Congress to join us to support this recovery. To the people of Sutherland Springs, I stand with you, we stand with you, the House of Representatives stands with you, and the people of the United States of America stand with you. May God bless all of you.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Arturo N. Benavides, Sr. Mr. Benavides was born on February 26, 1938 to Anita and Carlos Y. Benavides, Sr. He graduated from St. Joseph's Academy before eventually attending Fordham University and the University of Dallas. He would go on to start several successful business ventures in a variety of fields including ranching, real estate, land development, oil and gas, and the hotel industry. He would also serve in the Texas National Guard. Despite his busy and successful business career, he was actively involved in several causes for the benefit of his community. He understood the importance of a good education and helped fund several college scholarships for students in Laredo, TX. A generous supporter of the South Texas Food Bank, Mr. Benavides helped establish three Kids Cafes where meals would be served for low-income kids. Due to his philanthropy and service over the course of several decades, he would receive many honors. His recognitions and awards include: being the honoree at the Empty Bowls Gala sponsored by the South Texas Food Bank, representing the United States as LULAC 12's Senor Internacional and Tejano Achiever, and serving as Honorary President of the Republic of the Rio Grande. Mr. Benavides' legacy will live on in the countless people that he helped during his remarkable life. He will be remembered not only for his success in business but also by how much he cared for those around him. He remained humble and was never one to boast about his accomplishments. He was focused on creating results not on receiving recognition. His life serves as an example to us all. He is survived by his daughter, Anna (John) Galo; his son, Arturo N. Benavides, Jr.; two grandchildren, John Roman Galo and Zoe Zelin Benavides; his brother, Carlos Y. (Leticia) Benavides, Jr.; his cousin, Arturo Tomas (Leslie) Benavides; nieces and nephews, Carlos Y. Benavides III, Guillermo D. Benavides, and Linda Cristina (Patrick) Alexander; and the mother of his children, Gloria Casso Benavides. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize Arturo N. Benavides, Sr.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of former Texas State Representative Paul Moreno. Mr. Moreno was born on April 28, 1931 to Avelina Ramirez and Reyes Moreno, Sr. He grew up in El Paso, TX where he attended Bowie High School and then went on to serve in the Korean War as a member of the United States Marine Corps. Eventually, he graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a BBA and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin. At the age of 22, Paul Moreno was paralyzed in an accident and left a quadriplegic. Despite this challenge, Mr. Moreno remained in good spirits and never lost his sense of duty. In 1967, Mr. Moreno would get elected to the Texas State House of Representatives. He eventually became the longest serving Hispanic official elected in the United States after 40 years of service. During his time in office, he gained a reputation for doing what was right and became known as the ``Conscience of the Texas House''. As a member of the Texas State House of Representatives, Paul Moreno served as the first chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. Moreno later worked to help establish both the El Paso Legal Assistance Society and the Paso del Norte Tejano Democrats. Mr. Moreno was a valuable member of the Texas community and a very active, accomplished member of the state house. Paul is survived by his only daughter, Annette Moreno-Alvarado, his three granddaughters, Innette, Evette (Nathan) and Amarette, great- grandchildren, Josiah Paul Trevizo and Ariah Navette Trevizo, Brother, Freddy (Carol) Moreno, Sister, Blanche Darley and numerous beloved nieces and nephews and family members. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize Paul Moreno.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Vicente V. Garza, of Laredo, Texas. Vicente V. Garza was born on August 5th, 1931 to Vicente Garza, Sr. and Julieta V. Garza in Laredo, Texas. He graduated with honors from St. Augustine High School and then from St. Edwards University in 1951 with a degree in Business Administration. He would soon form many business relationships in Laredo and manage several retail stores and hotels throughout the area. Eventually, through hard work and dedication, he founded El Rio Department Store and contributed to the development of the Riverdrive Mall in Laredo, Texas. A devoted Catholic and parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church, Vicente contributed to the Laredo Catholic Consolidation Fund. His film belief in the educational system led him to serve on the Laredo Community College Education Foundation Board, the Mary Help of Christians School Advisory Board, and sponsor various scholarship programs. Mr. Garza had been named Laredo Morning Times Man of the Year for his efforts. Mr. Garza was successful both in business and in serving the community. He understood the importance of giving back to others. That is why he was committed to improving the education system. He wanted to ensure that those pursuing their education would have the opportunity to accomplish their ambitions. Mr. Garza's life and work serve as an example to us all. Vicente is survived by his wife Irma, his daughter Irma P. Trautmann (Robert), siblings Ricardo Garza (Alma), Eduardo Garza, Violeta Zertuche (Ramon), Virginia Shuey (Rick), Juanita Fontaine, Julieta Averitt, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize Vicente V. Garza.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Raquel Gonzalez, a business leader, community advocate, and role model for young Hispanic women. Ms. Gonzalez was born on April 22, 1925 in Tampico, Mexico to Carmen and Jose Gonzalez, and was the second of seven children. She would attend San Juan Bosco and graduate from St. Augustine High School in Laredo, Texas. Ms. Gonzalez would begin her professional career directly out of high school at her father's automotive firm, J.B. Gonzalez Garage. Here she honed her sharp business skills, strong work ethic, community pride, and deep-rooted family values. In 1975, Raquel Gonzalez and a group of investors founded the South Texas Abstract Company, later known as the Webb County Title and Abstract Company. Ms. Gonzalez became one of the nation's first female Hispanics to own and manage a successful title company. As a strong advocate for education, Ms. Gonzalez ran for a trustee position at Laredo Community College in 1980 and served for 28 years with distinction. And in 2003, the LCC Trustees unanimously voted to name the new Automotive Technology Center in her honor. She would also receive countless community service awards during her lifetime including: the Congressional Certificate of Merit, Laredo Women's Hall of Fame, and Laredo Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year. Throughout Ms. Gonzalez's career and life, her tireless work made Laredo a better place for her fellow citizens. She was a friend to all and selflessly gave to her community out of the goodness of her heart. Raquel is survived by her siblings, Juan G. Gonzalez, Mercedes G. McPartland (Robert), sister-in-law Consuelo, nephews, Mariano E. Gonzalez (Alma), Jose Mariano Gonzalez (Elia), Guillermo X. Gonzalez (Eva), Bryan A. McPartland (Cara), Ricardo Gonzalez (San Juanita), Luis A. Gonzalez, David F. Gonzalez (Camilla), and Ruben Gonzalez; nieces, Ma. Cristina Gonzalez (Humberto), M. Alexandria ``Alex'' Starnes (Melvin), Jenifer M. Shaw (Edward), Griselda G. Palmer, Amparo M. Santos (Gerardo), Melissa Gonzalez, Laura M. Matz (Richard), and Elsa Gonzalez; and many grand-nephews, grand-nieces, great grand-nephews, and great grand-nieces. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize Raquel Gonzalez.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank the ranking member for yielding her time, for her leadership, and for all the work she has done, and also our chairman, Mr. Frelinghuysen, for his leadership, and Chairman John Carter, one of our Texans, for bringing this important resolution to the floor. This funding will help FEMA, which is running out of money, provide the immediate recovery and relief that we need in Texas and Louisiana. It is only a downpayment. Normally, in rain events, we measure water in inches; during Hurricane Harvey, we measured it in feet. At the end, there were over 19 trillion gallons of water on the ground. Hurricane Harvey killed at least 60 people, including Alonso Guillen, a DREAMer who drove over 100 miles to help rescue by boat those who first responders couldn't reach. Those who were evacuated will soon come home to find their homes and their memories left behind in ruin by the floodwaters. The cost of the total damages will be in the billions. Many losses, however, will be priceless: pictures of family weddings, kids' soccer games, children's favorite toy, a daughter's prom dress, or an antique that has been passed through generations. Yet, many heroes stepped up to open up their homes, their churches, and their businesses to house those evacuees. Those efforts highlight the fact that this is not a natural disaster, but it is a national disaster, and it requires a response. I quickly want to thank the first responders and others at the local, State, and Federal levels who bravely and selflessly provided assistance, including our friends to the south, Mexico, that are sending over trucks and trucks of assistance. Today, we stand together not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans. We speak in one voice, and we stand with Houston, east Texas, and Louisiana as we continue to do the rescue and the recovery. And as Hurricane Irma comes over to Florida and the Southeast, we, again, stand together as Americans, one team.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the retirement of Supervisory Special Agent John ``Jack'' Morris, a Unit Chief with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), who has proudly served the people of the United States in federal law enforcement for over twenty-nine years. On August 8, 1988, after graduating from The New York State University College at Oneonta, Jack began a 29-year career with the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service, and later HSI. As a Special Agent in New York City from 1988 until 2004, Jack earned the New York Law Enforcement Investigator of the Year Award in 2001 and the U.S. Attorney's Director's Award in 2002. In 2004, Jack was promoted to the position of Supervisory Special Agent in Newark, New Jersey, where he worked with distinction until accepting a position in 2010 at HSI Headquarters in Washington, DC. Since moving to Washington, Jack has served in various HSI positions, including Program Manager, Section Chief, Special Assistant to the Director, and Chief of the Public Safety Unit. He was also a Congressional Detailee in my office where he worked on a variety of issues, including Immigration, Homeland Security, border issues, and constituent requests. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize and honor Jack Morris for his many years of service to the United States of America.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Rodney R. Lewis, who has been proudly serving as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lewis Energy Group for more than 35 years. Rodney R. Lewis was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 13, 1954, but grew up in the city of Laredo, where he spent his summers working on his grandparents' ranch. He graduated from United High School in Laredo, Texas in 1972, and then from Texas A&M International University with a degree in criminal justice. Rodney Lewis started his career in the oil industry in 1978 by working for Stampede Energy and the R.L. Burns Corporation. Eventually, through hard work and support from his family, Lewis became the proud owner of his own well, and in January of 1983, Lewis Petro Properties was created. Over its 35 years, Lewis Petro Properties grew into Lewis Energy Group, a fully integrated E&P company with its own drilling rigs, frack spreads and completion services, sand plant, gathering system and rail. Recently, Lewis Energy Group has undertaken many notable successes. In 2003, Lewis Energy entered into an agreement with Pemex to become the first American company to produce natural gas in Mexico, and in 2005, Lewis Energy Group expanded to become an operator in Colombia. Today, Lewis Energy Group is the fourth largest natural gas producer in Texas. Outside of managing Lewis Energy Group, Lewis also serves on the board of the National Aerospace Museum, where he assists in fundraising efforts to keep the institution going. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize Rodney R. Lewis.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Florentino ``Tino'' Duran. Born and raised in San Antonio, Florentino Duran was an accomplished man. He persevered and managed to become Student Corps President, an ROTC Colonel, and editor of his high school newspaper. After high school, he served four years in the United States Air Force. Once he finished his service, Mr. Duran attended St. Mary's University and received a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration. Mr. Duran worked in a variety of capacities after graduating college. He served as executive assistant to both Mayor John Gatti and the Lyndon B. Johnson Administration. He also worked as executive director of the Bexar County Department of Housing, President of the National Association of Hispanic Publications of the United States (NAHP) and Vice President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of San Antonio. Later in Mr. Duran's career, he became general manager of a Dallas newspaper known as ``El Sol de Tejas''. He then became CEO and president of the ``Hispanic Informer''. In 1989, Duran and his loving wife Millie reintroduced the newspaper ``La Prensa'' as a bilingual publication reporting on San Antonio and the Hispanic community. Mr. Duran's successful career brought numerous recognitions, including the 2002 Media Award, presented by the San Antonio Police Association; the 2006 Community Service Award from the San Antonio- Norte Chamber of Commerce; and the 2005 Henry B. Gonzalez Public Service and Integrity award, presented by the Department of Public Administration of San Antonio College. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize and honor the life of Florentine Duran of San Antonio.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Alberto Patricio Cardenas of Laredo, Texas, who proudly served the people of Laredo in public and higher education for nearly forty-four years. Alberto Patricio Cardenas was born on March 17th, 1937 in Laredo, Texas. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, Alberto began his studies at The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas where he would successfully graduate in four years with a degree in history and as a member of the Corps of Cadets. After college, Alberto began a 13-year career with the Laredo Independent School District, where he taught students at Urbahn Elementary, Lamar Middle School, Nixon High School, and Martin High School. He earned his Master of Education degree from Texas A&M University and thereafter was recruited to be a faculty member of Laredo Junior College where he would meet the love of his life, Maria de la Luz. Mr. Cardenas spent the next 31 years serving as a counselor and eventually Director of the Counseling and Assessment Center at Laredo Community College. He influenced thousands of students by helping them navigate their degree plans, personal challenges, and by teaching multiple courses. He also raised money for scholarships, organized school floats for parades, and counseled student organizations. Mr. Cardenas lived a long and service filled life. Not only was he an accomplished educator, but a dedicated community leader. He served in the United States Air Force Reserve, on the Board of Directors and as President of the Laredo Boys & Girls Club, as President of the Laredo Chapter of the International Good Neighbor Council, and on the Laredo- Webb County Child Welfare Board. He also was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem for 15 years, achieving the rank of Knight Commander with Star. Above all, Alberto was a committed husband and father to Maria de la Luz (Lucy) Rodriguez and their three children Cristina Doda, Alberto Jr., and Maradelle Lilliam. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize and honor Alberto Patricio Cardenas for his many years of service to the city of Laredo.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Judge Alvin James ``Ben'' Morales, who proudly served the people of Laredo for more than 20 years. Judge Ben Morales was born in 1950 in Taylor, Texas. He graduated from Taylor High School and joined the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After he was honorably discharged, Judge Morales completed his studies at Southwest Texas State University with a bachelor's degree in political science and history. After college, Judge Morales married Liz Gamez. They then moved to Houston where he pursued a degree at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, graduating in 1979. After passing the bar exam Judge Morales moved his family to Laredo, where he started a career as an attorney before serving as a judge, a position he held for over twenty years. Judge Morales was a widely respected and admired judge and individual. Among his many achievements, he launched Webb County's first-ever juvenile drug court program in 2013. He also served as a member of the American Judge's Association, as a Chairman of the Webb County Bail Bond Board, and as an Assistant Webb County Attorney. In 2014, Judge Morales retired, and he and his wife moved to Pflugerville to be closer to their daughters, friends, and extended family. Judge Morales is survived by his loving wife Liz Morales and two daughters Marisa Morales and Raquel Leal. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize and honor Judge Morales for his years of service to the city of Laredo.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Stephen Thomas Zamora, who proudly served the people of Houston, Texas, as a professor at the University of Houston Law Center for nearly thirty-six years. Stephen Zamora was born on June 26, 1944, in Los Angeles, California. Steve graduated from Servite High School in 1962, and earned a B.A. from Stanford University four years later. It was there where he met and married his wife, Lois. Together, they worked for the Peace Corps for two years. Afterwards, Steve graduated first in his class with a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1972. After law school, in 1973, Stephen served as a Postgraduate Fellow at the University Consortium for World Order Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. He would then practice international law at the World Bank in Washington D.C. from 1974 to 1978 before settling in Houston, Texas. Mr. Zamora joined the University of Houston Law Center's faculty and served as the first dean of Hispanic origin from 1995 to 2000. He also dedicated his independent research at the Center for U.S. and Mexican Law to Mexican law and relations. For his work, he was awarded the highest distinction by the Mexican government to a foreign national, the Order of the Aztec Eagle, in 2006. He continued to devote his time to his professional interests until 2015. Mr. Zamora lived a long and service filled life. He was an accomplished educator, a role model to his students, and loving father and husband to his wife, Lois Zamora; his daughter, Camille Zamora, and her husband Thomas; grandsons Landon and Nate; and siblings Carol, Anita, John, Mary, Paula, and Tony; and his many nephews, nieces, aunts, cousins, and friends. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize and honor Stephen Zamora for his many years of service

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for yielding. I also want to thank the Appropriations chair from New Jersey and the staff, and also the ranking young lady from New York and the staff for being a bipartisan committee. The Appropriations Committee has been bipartisan. While this bill before us is a step toward getting the job done of passing the appropriations bill before the end of the fiscal year, we know this is only the first step. We still have a lot more work to do. I regret that the rule that we will take up tomorrow will likely include $1.6 billion for a wall. We who live on the border, we understand and we believe in border security, border security that is strong, sensible, common sense, and effective for the border. The wall is a 14th century solution to a 21st century challenge that we have. The border wall is not the right solution for border security. Why? Number one, private property rights. We believe in private property rights. In fact, there are some people that, for generations, have owned land along the border. I have several veterans that own land. In fact, there is one veteran in particular that buried his father--his father who served in World War II--and his family right along the riverbank. So if you put a wall, what is he going to do? Once you put the wall, how is he going to go visit the cemetery, the family cemetery along the border? What about cattle, livestock? How are they going to have access to water along the river? Number two, we have natural barriers along the Texas border. We have the rivers. You can see how the river snakes around. And what about the cliffs? Are you going to put a wall on top of this cliff? It just doesn't make sense. Number three, what about taxpayers' dollars? Mexico is not going to pay for this wall. We know that the American taxpayer is going to pay for this, $1.6 billion for 74 miles out of the 1,954 miles that we have. That is $21.2 million per mile for this wall, compared to $1 million of technology we wanted to put, technology cameras, sensors, aerostats for border security. And, oh, by the way, so $1.6 billion; all I need is $100, buy myself a good ladder, and we will take care of that wall. So, again, we have got to be smart about border security. Number four, environmental concerns, we have concerns with regard to wildlife refuges. What about the 40 percent out of the 11 million people that we have here who did visa overstays? So you can put the biggest wall, but people are going to fly, are going to drive across the bridge, are going to get a boat into Houston and just stay over their time. What about a cap analysis so we know what are the real needs that we have? That is number six. What about number seven, Mexico is an ally? It is not an enemy. Every day we have $1.3 billion of trade with our friends to the south--every day, 1.3. That is over $1 million of trade every single minute, 6 million American jobs that we have because of the trade that we have with our friends to the south. We need strong, commonsense border security, and I know this because I live on the border. I drink the water. I breathe the air. I understand this very well. The border area is very safe. Use FBI stats. The murder rate in my hometown of Laredo is three murders per 100,000. Here in Washington, D.C., it is 24.5 murders per 100,000. So if you want to talk about dangerous, when I leave the border to fly over to Washington, this is the most dangerous thing about my job. So the wall is a 14th century solution to a 21st century problem. I ask you to vote ``no'' on the border wall. Again, I want to thank the Appropriations Committee for being bipartisan. This is only the first step.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Taco Palenque. Taco Palenque opened on July 1st, 1987, with the purpose of serving delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine. Over its thirty years of existence, it has served some of the best food in all of South Texas. Founded by Mr. Juan Francisco ``Pancho''' Ochoa in Laredo, TX, Taco Palenque has seen much success. With over 1,500 employees and 21 locations across Texas, including in San Antonio, Laredo, McAllen, and Mission, Taco Palenque has shown to be a top-quality restaurant chain. Offering everything from traditional tacos to homemade menudo, Taco Palenque never fails to provide excellent cuisine to Texans. The hard work and effort that is shown through Taco Palenque's cuisine speaks to the dedication of Mr. Ochoa, who always made sure to never serve any food that he does not personally like. This mindset has brought him many honors including The Chamber of Commerce's Laredo Businessman of the Year award. He has also been honored by the Texas legislature for his work and contributions to the restaurant industry. His restaurants have also been recognized for their outstanding customer service which came through Mr. Ochoa's dedication to customer satisfaction. For Mr. Ochoa, no task is too small to preserve the famous taste of his restaurants. Regardless of the cost, customer satisfaction takes priority. This is one of the many reasons for Taco Palenque's ongoing success. Taco Palenque is not just a thriving business but a family owned operation. From the outset, this organization would not have been possible without the help and expertise of Pancho's family members. Mr. Ochoa's wife, Flerida, was instrumental in helping to create some of Taco Palenque's most famous recipes. She worked tirelessly with Mr. Ochoa to perfect everything that is served. As the business expanded, his children took on several important roles in the business, including General Director of the company and manager of several different restaurants. I would also like to note that Taco Palenque has supporters here in our nation's Capital. Over the last several years, my office has hosted ``Laredo Day'', a widely attended and bi-partisan reception that features the culture and cuisine of Laredo, TX. At this event we serve Taco Palenque which is often noted by our guests to be some of the best food that they have ever had. These guests include members of Congress, ambassadors, and cabinet officials. The food is so popular my office oftentimes has to limit the number of guests to the reception. Taco Palenque does not limit itself to merely serving good food. Throughout Taco Palenque's existence, the restaurant has partnered with advocates and organizations that promote the well-being of the local community. As a sponsor of multiple youth sports teams and organizations, such as Mercy Ministries of Laredo, the Boys and Girls Club of Laredo, and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, community is clearly important to this establishment. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of Taco Palenque, my dear friend Pancho Ochoa, and all his staff.

Mr. CUELLAR

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative Vela for yielding time to me and also Chairman McCaul and the folks who have been working on this particular bill. CBP currently has a staffing deficit of 3,000 individuals for the uniform components, that is the U.S. Border Patrol, Office of Field Operations, Air and Marine Operations, which jeopardizes our national and our economic security. This legislation does not cover ICE. CBP, Border Patrol, and Air and Marine. Nobody else. This has nothing to do with deportation. Long before President Trump became a candidate for the office, Congress authorized CBP to hire an additional 2,000 officers. That was about 4 years ago. Chairman Carter, Michael McCaul, we authorized 2,000 officers. Up to now, Mr. Speaker, we have not been able to hire those 2,000 officers because of the polygraph exam. In fact, 65 percent of those individuals who applied for CBP are rejected, which is twice the amount that you have for other Federal officers, FBI, DEA, when they take their polygraph. I am talking about polygraph exams. Again, this does not cover ICE. What this bill actually does, it will strengthen CBP's efforts to secure our border by filling those positions. I represent Laredo, the largest inland port, 14,000 traders a day. They have been delayed because we don't have enough CBP officers, and we need to get them. What this bill does, it does not lower the standards. I emphasize, it does not lower the standards. It streamlines the background investigation for a limited number of veterans, military officers, law enforcement. If you are a local law enforcement and you take a polygraph exam, then you can ask for this waiver. Or if you are a servicemember or a veteran with the highest background investigation, you can get a waiver. Or if you are current Federal law enforcement with the highest background exam, you can get a waiver. But, again, if somebody finds out those vetted individuals still need to take a polygraph, then you would take it. Finally, the last thing to conclude is, Members, this is not the first time we have gotten a waiver.

Mr. CUELLAR. If you look at the National Defense Authorization polygraph waiver language, CBP has already gotten requests for waivers. In fact, it has already been done. This is not the first time that we are doing this. It is already the law. It doesn't bring down the standards. It allows us to have more men and women at the border, and this is why I ask you to support this legislation.