Filemon Vela

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Elizabeth Carr for receiving the 2020 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award presented by Humanities Texas. Humanities Texas presents annual statewide awards to encourage excellence in teaching and recognize Texas teachers who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development and extracurricular programming. Ms. Carr was one of 16 teachers selected to be recognized, competing against an application pool of over 700 educators. Along with this prestigious award, Ms. Carr will also receive a $5,000 prize and a supplementary sum of $1,000 designated to help her school further humanity-based education. Ms. Carr has been a teacher for almost fifteen years, and currently teaches U.S. History and World Geography at South Texas ISD Medical Professions High School. Her work to promote high-quality and equitable education to students in my district is admirable and critical in ensuring our students are well-prepared once they complete high school. Madam Speaker, I send my sincerest congratulations to Ms. Elizabeth Carr for earning the highly prestigious Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award. Her dedication to her students and passion for the humanities is commendable, and her contributions to South Texas students and the school district will reverberate for years to come.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, this week we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Jones Act and its century of fostering our domestic maritime industry and supporting our national security. Named in honor of its author, former Senator Wesley Jones, the Jones Act has helped provide economic benefits in times of peace and has safeguarded resources to expand our military maritime capacity for times of war. For the Department of Defense, maintaining a U.S. flagged fleet is critical to ensuring we have sufficient U.S. sealift capacity, available at a moment's notice, to defend our nation. For example, during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom from 2002 to 2010, U.S.-flag commercial vessels transported nearly 60% of all military cargoes into Afghanistan and Iraq. Not only does the Jones Act support this vital national security requirement, it also provides an economic benefit to our nation. Currently, there are about 40,000 vessels in the American domestic fleet. The domestic maritime industry supports nearly 650,000 jobs and has a gross economic output of $154 billion annually, generating $41.6 billion annually in income with a $16.8 billion tax impact. In my state of Texas, the domestic maritime industry is a major economic driver. According to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the Transportation Institute, Texas ranks No. 3 among all U.S. states for jobs related to the American domestic maritime industry. The state is home to an estimated 56,000 Jones Act-related domestic maritime industry jobs, and the domestic shipping industry contributes approximately $14 billion in annual economic impact and $4 billion in worker income to the Texas economy. In the 34th Congressional District, which I have the honor to represent, there are 1,100 Jones Act-related jobs. This translates into over $174 million in economic impact to my Congressional district. On March 16th, I was scheduled to participate in an event at the Port of Brownsville in my district, highlighting the importance of our domestic maritime industry and the Jones Act. As with so many activities throughout our nation and the world over the past several months, this event was postponed due to COVID-19, but I am pleased to have this opportunity today to express my support for this important industry and its workforce. At the Port of Brownsville, Keppel AmFels is currently constructing two 'Ohana Class containerships for Pasha Hawaii, an American shipping company. These ships will be used to transport containers of goods between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. It was just a few years ago that Keppel AmFELS decided to invest over $30 million to start this new industry at the Port of Brownsville. We worked with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration to secure nearly $2 million in federal funds for the vessel assembly pad to help make this happen. I look forward to the time when we can celebrate the building of these two ships--the M/V Jean Marie and the M/V George III--in person.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine on the successful establishment of a medical school, commemorated through the graduation of their inaugural class. The class of 2020 has established a precedent of success and excellence for the UTRGV School of Medicine and for all future classes to emulate. The establishment of the UTRGV School of Medicine followed decades- long efforts to ensure that Rio Grande Valley residents have access to quality healthcare services, an important milestone for the region. From 1997 to 2009, a regional academic health center was opened and efforts to build the resources and healthcare infrastructure were launched. The success of these efforts resulted in the Texas Legislature approving the creation of the medical school in 2013. In 2015, the UTRGV School of Medicine received preliminary accreditation, which allowed the university to recruit its first medical school class. The inaugural class will receive their doctor of medicine degrees on May 9, 2020, when they will then go on to complete specialized medical training across the country, including in south Texas. The UTRGV's School of Medicine class of 2020 is the future of healthcare not only for the Rio Grande Valley but for this country. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the UTRGV School of Medicine's first graduating class. Congratulations to the university for their success. To these future physicians, thank you for choosing to be our Nation's healers.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Emily J. Alpert for her 22 years of extraordinary work and dedication to the Brownsville Community Health Center Corporation as the director of operations. Emily has been instrumental in transforming the Brownsville Community Health Center into the beacon of excellent healthcare services it is today. Her work embodies the philosophy of providing quality care that preserves the dignity of all human beings, a philosophy engrained in the Rio Grande Valley. For these reasons, I would like to ask my colleagues to join the Brownsville Community Health Center and me in congratulating Emily on her retirement and wishing her well in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Charro Days Fiesta and to honor the 2020 ``Mr. Amigo,'' chosen by the Mr. Amigo Association of Brownsville, TX, Julio Cesar Chavez. Charro Days dates back to 1937, when the citizens of Brownsville organized the event in the midst of the Great Depression to celebrate the cultural heritage shared between Brownsville and its sister city, Matamoros, Tamaulipas, across the border in Mexico. Since 1964, the ``Mr. Amigo'' award has recognized an outstanding Mexican citizen who has made a lasting contribution to the friendship and understanding of the United States and Mexico. ``Mr. Amigo'' acts as an ambassador between the United States and Mexico and presides over the annual Charro Days Fiesta. Julio Cesar Chavez is a sports legend and a champion, both in and out of the ring. Julio Cesar was born in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, but moved with his family at a young age to Culiacan, Sinaloa. It was there that his fighting spirit and drive for personal growth inspired him to get into the ring--guided by the dream of buying a house for his mother, Dona Isabel. The ``Sultan of Culiacan'' won six world titles in three different divisions in the Super Featherweight, Lightweight, and Light Welterweight categories. In the 25 years of his professional career he remained undefeated for 13 years, he won 31 out of 37 world title bouts, and he was able to successfully defend his world crowns 27 times. His biggest wins in the ring were against Roger Mayweather, Juan Laporte, Edwin ``Chapo'' Rosario, Jose Luis Ramirez, Meldrick Taylor, Hector ``Macho'' Camacho, Greg Haugen and in the rematch against Frankie Randall. However, Julio Cesar Chavez also faced adversity and addiction, but overcame both ills. Today, his message is simple, ``if I could it, you can too.'' That phrase served as the foundation for his two rehabilitation centers Clinica Baja del Sol, one in Tijuana and the other in Culiacan. In addition to the work he performs through his clinics, Julio Cesar is ambassador of the National Campaign for Prevention and Attention to Addictions. His granddaughter Julia, along with his wife Miriam and their children Julio, Omar, Cristian and Nicole are his inspiration. He is committed to helpings others recover from addictions. Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to honor the Charro Days Fiesta. Please join me in recognizing the importance of this annual celebration which continues to strengthen the relationship between Brownsville and Matamoros, as well as the United States and Mexico.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed Roll Call Vote 37 on February 5, 2020. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2382, USPS Fairness Act, and, had I been present and voting, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call 37.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in support of S. 2107, the Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this crucial bill. I introduced this important legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives with support from Members of both sides of the aisle. This bipartisan bill authorizes the hiring of additional agricultural specialists, agricultural technicians, and agricultural K-9 teams at our international ports of entry and has the support of nearly one dozen Governors and over 150 agriculture and trade stakeholders across this country. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters from Governors and industry groups addressing their support for this bill. State of Utah, Office of the Governor, Salt Lake City, UT, January 31, 2020. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Rogers, Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers: I appreciate your work leading the House Committee on Homeland Security. I write today in support of H.R. 4482, Protecting America's Food & Agriculture Act of 2019. The bill would authorize funding to hire additional Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel to help conduct Agriculture Quarantine Inspection services at the United States' ports of entry. Utah has a robust agricultural sector, including a pork industry that is an important part of our state's economy. We are genuinely concerned about the potential impact of agricultural pests and diseases, including African Swine Fever. The Fever has not yet impacted the United States, but is wreaking havoc in other parts of the world and would pose a significant threat to the U.S. pork industry. Through regional and national partnerships, we spend considerable effort as a state to detect and combat diseases and prevent outbreaks. However we need the federal government's support to prevent disease transmissions from foreign sources. Thank you again for your work, and please let me know if can be helpful. Sincerely, Gary R. Herbert, Governor.

Mr. VELA. The U.S. agriculture sector is crucial to our economy and generates more than $1 trillion in annual economic activity. In 2017, Texas farms sold $24.9 billion in agricultural products, a significant contribution to the State's economy. However, with increasing levels of trade, threats to the United States' agricultural sector are growing. Foreign pests and diseases cost our economy tens of billions of dollars per year. Agricultural specialists at our ports of entry intercept thousands of invasive pests and prevent the introduction of foreign animal diseases, such as the African swine fever, into the United States, protecting our natural resources and our economy. Unfortunately, a shortage of agricultural specialists exists at our U.S. ports of entry, which is why this legislation is so important. This bill would ensure that we have enough agricultural specialists, technicians, and K-9 teams to adequately perform agricultural quarantine inspections at our international ports of entry. I ask my colleagues to support swift passage of the Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019. I thank my colleague, Senator Peters, for his collaboration on this crucial bill and our Texas colleagues in the Senate, Senators Cornyn and Cruz, and Representative Crenshaw for their leadership in this effort.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 4044. I want to thank Mr. Malinowski and Chairwoman Napolitano for their leadership in crafting this legislation and bringing it to the floor today for consideration by the full House of Representatives. It is vital that we, as a nation, focus on preserving and restoring our estuaries. I am especially pleased that the bill almost doubles the amount of funding available to support national estuaries. This should finally allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to move forward with adding more of these critical ecosystems to the National Estuary Program. As one of only five or six hypersaline lagoons in the world and the only one in the nation, the Laguna Madre has unique conservation requirements. Adjacent to the longest barrier island in the world, Padre Island, the Laguna Madre is home to five species of endangered sea turtle and a critical migratory bird habitat for dozens of endangered or threatened bird species. The EPA previously designated the Upper Laguna Madre as a national estuary, and with this additional funding, we can now move forward with adding the Lower Laguna Madre to the existing designation. Having grown up in Brownsville, Texas, Chairwoman Napolitano knows the beauty and importance of this national treasure. On behalf of my constituents, I want to express the gratitude of South Texas for the hard work and dedication of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Members and staff to conserving the Lower Laguna Madre for future generations. I look forward to working with our Senators to help pass this legislation, and with our local officials, especially Cameron County Commissioner David Garza, and our governor, so we can finally secure a National Estuary Program designation for the Lower Laguna Madre. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4044.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I left the House chamber without casting my vote on the last measure of the evening. Had I been present, I would have voted AYE on H.R. 4704 Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which reflects the hard work of the House Armed Services Committee to craft legislation that ensures that the military has the resources needed to defend our nation. I was particularly pleased that the legislation included a pay increase for servicemembers, repeal of the Survivor Benefit Plan/ Indemnity Compensation Offset to provide Gold Star Families with their full, earned benefits, and changes to allow access to justice for military members and their families harmed by medical malpractice. I want to take a moment to clarify the intent behind Section 1101 of the legislation. Like my colleagues on the Committee, I feel strongly that the finances of the Department of Defense must be subject to meaningful audit and oversight. It is clear to me that requiring accounting firms supporting this critical mission to disclose ongoing disciplinary proceedings, including Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) proceedings, to the Department of Defense is a backdoor attempt to begin intruding on a process that Congress determined as part of Sarbanes-Oxley and should remain confidential. Section 1011 of the NDAA makes clear that these disclosures should not impinge on the confidentiality of PCAOB proceedings governed by Sarbanes-Oxley. The best way to reconcile these two statutes, which I believe has been done, is to require accounting firms to disclose the existence of a proceeding to the Department when those proceedings are relevant to the important work of the Department and such a disclosure is consistent with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Chair, during a long vote series today, I unintentionally voted aye on the Flores Amendment to H.R. 4863 United States Export Finance Agency Act, on rollcall number 618. Had I been able to correct my vote at that time, I would have voted ``nay.'' Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. McAdams

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, many of us attended the funeral for our colleague, Elijah Cummings. His story and the service were inspirational. On that same day, this article concerning the deteriorating conditions of the Mexican border appeared in The Texas Tribune about the consequences of the Trump administration's Migrant Protection Protocols, or MPP. The article describes America's inhumanity unfolding in Matamoros, Mexico, a border town in which I, as a child, spent much of my time and in which my ancestors are buried. It is a story about America's cruelty, for which the President of the United States is directly responsible. As I thought about what I could do about this situation, I couldn't help but ask myself: What would Elijah do? By creating obstacle after obstacle, the Trump administration does everything within its power to prevent asylum claimants from having their rightful day in court, whether they are entitled to stay or not. Its latest obstruction is the Migrant Protection Protocols, which are anything but protection. The MPP forces asylum claimants to wait in dangerous Mexican border towns as their claims are processed, and they have proven to be nothing more than a weapon used to destroy America's longstanding reputation as the world's greatest melting pot. It is a blatant violation of the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution. Our Nation's asylum laws guarantee the right to live in the United States while claims are adjudicated. Over 1,500 people now live in squalor in Matamoros, Mexico. They have no running water and a marginal number of toilets for all of them. They are housed in tents and forced to bathe naked out in the Rio Grande River. Their daily subsistence depends on the goodness of the volunteers from the Rio Grande Valley and across this Nation who cross into Mexico every day to provide a simple meal. The conditions are worse than those that I have seen in Syrian refugee camps. This is not the way America is supposed to work. The administration claims that by creating secret, sham, tent courts along the border that it is processing asylum claims. This is nothing more than a glaring effort to obliterate due process. In these so- called courts constitutional protections vanish, and civil liberties disappear. The administration's policy is severely restricting and imposing barriers on the very fundamental bedrock of our legal system--the attorney-client relationship. Lawyers representing these asylum claimants are reporting that the MPP policy is making something as simple as the opportunity to meet with their client an impossibility. As of this August, less than 2 percent of those in MPP court even had lawyers representing them. The forcible removal of claimants to another country while they await adjudication is a judicial charade, represents a total abdication of the principles of fairness that are the foundations of our justice system, and makes a mockery of our Constitution. Not only are asylum claimants being denied their rights, the public and the press are consistently denied access to these proceedings. What is there to hide? The presence of attorneys, advocates, the press, and the public at these hearings preserves our democracy. The president of the National Association of Immigration Judges states as follows: Normal immigration court is open to the public. In civil proceedings in America, one of the fundamental tenets of our justice system is that there has to be accountability to the public. We do not do stuff behind closed doors. That is not what America is about. And yet, with each immigration policy decision the last 3 years, we are moving closer and closer to a model that does not resemble anything in the American judicial system; it is more like what you might see in China or Russia. In our system of criminal jurisprudence, a person may be guilty, or they may not be. But with regard to jurisprudence, a party may be culpable or not culpable. But one thing everyone gets is the opportunity to be heard. So we have a choice. We can turn a blind eye to the horror that is this administration's asylum policy, or we can answer our colleague, Elijah's, call to create a system that stands for justice. Let's tear down the Migrant Protection Protocols. Let's hire the judges so that we can efficiently and fairly adjudicate asylum claims. Let the asylum claimant live in dignity and give them back their right to be in this country while they wait for their cases to be heard. If asylum is denied after a fair and just adjudication, let the claimant leave this country knowing that the United States system of government gave them a fair shake. If, on the other hand, a claimant is given refugee status, let's rally behind them. Let's show them what America is really like. Let's help them achieve the American dream. I think that is what Elijah Cummings would do.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Daniel P. King for his service to the Rio Grande Valley in the State of Texas. Dr. King is a proven leader in the 34th Congressional District of Texas. As a public school superintendent for the last 14 years, he has guided district-wide initiatives to improve student performance and graduation rates across south Texas. Under his leadership as superintendent at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, the annual dropout rate has been reduced by more than 90 percent, and the overall high school completion rate now surpasses the State average. He also helped establish the College 3 program which aims to offer every single student the opportunity to earn at least 12 college hours before high school graduation. This year PSJA named its newest early college campus the Dr. Daniel P. King College & University Center in recognition of his accomplishments. Prior to his role at PSJA ISD, Dr. King was superintendent at Hidalgo Independent School District where he led the development of the first early college school district in the Nation. In 2006, Hidalgo ISD earned the H-E-B Excellence in Education Award. And in 2007 U.S. News & World Report named Hidalgo High the 11th best high school in the Nation and number one in Texas. He also earned the State Superintendent of the Year Award in 2006 by the Texas Association of School Boards. Dr. King is an influential educator, and his numerous accomplishments have paved the way for continued student success in south Texas. Our community is thankful for his contributions, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him. As we honor Dr. Daniel P. King, I also want to acknowledge his wife, Sara, who is a PSJA faculty member, and their six children who have supported Dr. King in achieving his professional goals. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join his family, our community, and me in wishing him a happy retirement and thanking him for his service.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. George Ramirez for his extraordinary contribution to the culture and arts in Brownsville, Texas. Mr. Ramirez was the longtime president of the Brownsville Society for the Performing Arts and founder of the Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival. He has been invaluable in bringing quality cultural entertainment to my community. Under Mr. Ramirez' leadership, the Brownsville Society for the Performing Arts has produced hundreds of shows, concerts, and cultural programs. He dedicated his life to making the arts accessible to the people of the Rio Grande Valley. In June 2017, Mr. Ramirez established his own low-powered radio station, which enabled him to bring music to everyone. Mr. Ramirez helped create a number of cultural events, including the Brownsville Guitar Ensemble Festival and Competition, the Brownsville International Flamenco Festival, and the Ancient Cultures Festival. He also spearheaded the efforts to bring Handel's ``Messiah'' concerts to Brownsville, Mozart's ``Requiem in D Minor,'' Bach's ``Mass in B Minor,'' and the annual children's ``Hansel and Gretel'' opera production. A group of students in the University of Texas opera program had never seen an opera, so he coordinated and funded a trip to take them to the Houston Grand Opera. He was very active in helping students gain exposure to the arts, offering several music scholarships. Mr. Ramirez' latest accomplishment was playing a vital role in the opening of the Brownsville Performing Arts Academy, a place that will carry on the tradition of Mr. Ramirez' work.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor David P. Higgerson on his retirement from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Laredo Field Office. As Director of Field Operations (DFO) at the Laredo office, Director Higgerson was responsible for enforcement activities at eight international Ports of Entry (POEs), extending from Brownsville to Del Rio, and the Machinery Center for Excellence and Expertise. The eight POEs include 21 vehicle crossings, eight airports, three rail crossings, and one seaport. These crossings are some of the nation's busiest, and Mr. Higgerson's organization safely processed nearly 59.4 million people, more than 21 million vehicles, over 3.5 million commercial trucks, and an excess of $194 billion in international trade in Fiscal Year 2018. He also served in the Joint Task Force-West, which disrupts transnational criminal organizations from operating in South Texas. Director Higgerson is a proven leader in the community who leads by example. In 2018, he was awarded the Secretary's Meritorious Service Silver Medal for his leadership and service to the Department of Homeland Security. He also earned the Commissioner's Strategic Problem Solving Award for the South Texas Railroad Strategic Problem Solving Initiative, and Assistant Commissioner recognition for his outstanding contribution to the Land Border Directive Working Group. Mr. Higgerson is a graduate of the St. John Military Academy and holds an Associate's Degree in Accounting. After honorably serving in the U.S. Army, he was Customs Inspector at the Panama Canal Zone and was then transferred to Laredo, Texas in 1978. He was also Port Director in Hidalgo-Pharr, Texas, and DFO in El Paso, Texas and Tucson, Arizona. It has been an honor to work with Director Higgerson for the past seven years. I thank him for his service in keeping our borders safe, while also taking care of our officers on the front line. As we celebrate David P. Higgerson's retirement, I ask my colleagues to join his family, our community, and me in recognizing his legacy and wishing him a happy retirement.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, at the end of a long vote series today, I unintentionally voted nay for H.R. 1146, the Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plan Protection Act, on rollcall number 530. Had I been able to correct my vote at that time, I would have voted ``aye.'' personal explanation

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lucinda Marie Lopez, who has earned the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award. Lucinda joins a select group of scouts to obtain this recognition. The Gold Award symbolizes an individual's outstanding accomplishments in leadership, community service, career planning, and personal development. The award requires earning four interest project patches, the Career Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, and completing the Senior Girl Scout Challenge. A scout must also complete a Gold Project, in which scouts identify and lead a project on a pressing issue in the community. Inspired by the work and leadership of Girl Scout's founder Juliette Low, Lucinda assembled a replica of Low's childhood home for display at Brownsville's Holiday Village. Her model helped to inspire our children and instill in them values championed by the Girl Scouts. This project required remarkable creativity and attention to detail in order to bring an exhibit of such magnitude to life. Additionally, she designed a patch of the Holiday Village, which her fellow Girl Scouts earn by visiting the village. It is a great honor to recognize Lucinda Marie Lopez for her dedication and unwavering service. I am confident that the skills and life lessons she learns through Girl Scouts will prove to be invaluable in her future endeavors. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her achievements, work, and service.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Abigail Elizabeth Rocha, who has earned the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award. Abigail joins a select group of scouts to obtain this recognition. The Gold Award symbolizes an individual's outstanding accomplishments in leadership, community service, career planning, and personal development. The award requires earning four interest project patches, the Career Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, and completing the Senior Girl Scout Challenge. A scout must also complete a Gold Project, in which scouts identify and lead a project on a pressing issue in the community. For her Gold Project, Abigail built five libraries, three in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico and two in Brownsville, Texas. An avid reader, Abigail excelled in her goal of providing both communities with access to books. I applaud her vision and ambition as she diligently worked on both sides of our border to get the communities involved in this project. Her imagination and leadership helped improve educational opportunities for children and families. It is a great honor to recognize Abigail Elizabeth Rocha for her dedication and unwavering service. I am confident that the skills and life lessons she learns through Girl Scouts will prove to be invaluable in her future endeavors. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her achievements, work, and service.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Andrea Aileen Aguilar, who has earned the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award. Andrea joins a select group of scouts to obtain this recognition. The Gold Award symbolizes an individual's outstanding accomplishments in leadership, community service, career planning, and personal development. The award requires earning four interest project patches, the Career Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, and completing the Senior Girl Scout Challenge. A scout must also complete a Gold Project, in which scouts identify and lead a project on a pressing issue in the community. For her Gold Project, Andrea installed a bicycle rack and a repair station with sidewalks and landscaping at the National Historical Park--Resaca De La Palma Battlefield in Brownsville, Texas. Andrea worked with local businesses to secure labor and material. I am proud of her work ethic and ability to improve community access to an historic landmark through this project. It is a great honor to recognize Andrea Aileen Aguilar for her dedication and unwavering service. I am confident that the skills and life lessons she learns through Girl Scouts will prove to be invaluable in her future endeavors. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her achievements, work, and service.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kathryn Thalia Leos, who has earned the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award. Kathryn joins a select group of scouts to obtain this recognition. The Gold Award symbolizes an individual's outstanding accomplishments in leadership, community service, career planning, and personal development. The award requires earning four interest project patches, the Career Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, and completing the Senior Girl Scout Challenge. A scout must also complete a Gold Project, in which scouts identify and lead a project on a pressing issue in the community. Kathryn's project, ``Kat's Closet,'' focused on meeting the professional-attire needs of students at South Texas Academy for Medical Professions. The school serves as an alternative to larger high schools of local independent school districts for students interested in pursuing careers in health care. Equipping our next generation of leaders is critical as they embark on their careers. Kathryn's work has made a lasting, positive impact on the lives of many. It is a great honor to recognize Kathryn Thalia Leos for her dedication and unwavering service. I am confident that the skills and life lessons she learns through Girl Scouts will prove to be invaluable in her future endeavors. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her achievements, work, and service.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Frederick William Rusteberg of Brownsville, Texas. Mr. Rusteberg served the majority of his professional career as the original founding CEO and president of International Bank of Commerce in Brownsville until his retirement on October 27, 2016. In the early 1970s, Mr. Rusteberg served his country as an officer in the United States Army. After receiving the Army commendation medal and an honorable discharge, he returned to his hometown of Brownsville. He helped develop the area's future as assistant port director for the Port of Brownsville. Mr. Rusteberg began his 40-year banking career at Bank of the Southwest. Shortly thereafter, he opened the first International Bank of Commerce bank facility in Cameron County in 1984. A champion of education, Mr. Rusteberg led successful efforts for the Brownsville Independent School District to secure funding for our schools. He and his family established the very first scholarship endowment at the University of Texas-Brownsville, now University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Mr. Rusteberg has been married to Frances Hill for 48 years and has two children, William Rusteberg and Liz Rusteberg Hainley, and two grandchildren, Jessie Hainley and Will Hainley. Fred and Frances have been highly active in the community throughout the years and are blessed to call Brownsville home. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to honor Frederick William Rusteberg. His character and hard work make him a tremendous role model for the citizens of Brownsville, and I am confident his contributions will continue to guide south Texas in a positive direction. I ask my colleagues to join me, his family, and friends in commending his life of service.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Brownsville, Texas native Victoria Hinojos, who has earned the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award. Victoria joins a selective group of scouts, and she should be proud of this recognition. The Girl Scouts of the USA Gold award symbolizes outstanding accomplishments in leadership, community service, career planning, and personal development. The award is contingent upon earning four interest project patches, the Career Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, and completing the Senior Girl Scout Challenge. A scout must also complete a Gold Project, in which scouts identify and lead a project on a pressing issue in the community. For her Gold Project, Victoria assisted families affected by domestic violence in the Rio Grande Valley. I am impressed with her efforts to provide the Friendship of Women Shelter in Brownsville with additional resources. She went above and beyond the expectations, raising awareness in the community and collaborating with partners, local organizations, and fellow Girl Scout Gold Awardee--Hannah Edelstein. In addition to her personal development within the Girl Scouts, Victoria excels at Saint Joseph Academy in Brownsville, Texas, earning second honors since freshman year. She is an active member of the National Art Honors Society, Rotary Interact Club, and the Varsity Dance team. Additionally, she teaches tap dance classes at the Brownsville Dance Center, highlighting her leadership skills outside of the classroom. It is a great honor to recognize Victoria. Her work and service make our district a better community, and I am confident that the skills and life lessons she learns through Girl Scouts will prove to be invaluable in her future endeavors. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her achievements, work, and service.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Hannah Edelstein, who has earned the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award. Hannah joins a selective group of scouts, and she should be proud of this recognition. This accolade symbolizes outstanding accomplishments in leadership, community service, career planning, and personal development. To receive the award, a scout must first obtain four interest project patches, the Career Exploration Pin, the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award, and complete the Senior Girl Scout Challenge. Awardees also complete a Gold Project, in which scouts identify and lead a project on a pressing issue in the community. Hannah's project focused on the needs of families affected by domestic violence in the Rio Grande Valley. I applaud her research efforts and ability to provide necessary resources at the Friendship of Women Shelter in Brownsville, Texas. She went above and beyond the expectations, raising awareness in the community and working with partners, local organizations, and fellow Girl Scout Gold Awardee-- Victoria Hinojos. A Brownsville native, Hannah leads her peers by example, excelling in academics and community service. She works with the University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley faculty to promote the conservation of the region's native Red Crowned Parrot, serves as president of the Health Occupation Students of America, and leads the Varsity Volleyball team. Despite these extracurricular endeavors, Hannah ranks number one in her class at Veterans Memorial Early College High School, Brownsville. It is a tremendous honor to recognize Hannah Edelstein. Our district is very proud of her service, and our community benefits greatly from her leadership. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating her for her work, service, and accomplishments.

Mr. VELA

Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Geraldine Pena of La Feria, Texas, as she celebrates her centennial birthday today. She was born on April 1, 1919, in Tucson, Arizona. Geraldine, affectionately called Gerry, dropped out of high school to support her single mother and four younger siblings. After marrying her husband, Ralph, the couple relocated to his hometown of La Feria. There, she devoted her time to raising six children. As her children grew older, Mrs. Pena was able to become more actively involved in the community, always lending a hand when possible. She was also an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 409, and her involvement included local, State, and national conventions in Texas and Hawaii. She is the proud grandmother of 13 grandchildren and 13 great- grandchildren, with more expected in the coming years. I am pleased to honor Geraldine Pena for her legacy of unselfishness and generosity. Her devotion to her family and community is admirable, and I hope her 100th birthday celebration is filled with love and happiness. She is joined by family traveling from California, Illinois, Arizona, and across Texas. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Geraldine Pena a happy birthday and wishing her good health and prosperity.