Floor SpeechCeremonial2024-12-11

HONORING CLEMENCIA ESTEVIZ ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY

Agriculture

Context

On 2024-12-11, Representative Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING CLEMENCIA ESTEVIZ ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY" in the House. The speech addressed agriculture. It referenced legislation: HR10113.

Full Text

HONORING CLEMENCIA ESTEVIZ ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024)] [House] [Page H6806] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING CLEMENCIA ESTEVIZ ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. De La Cruz) for 5 minutes. Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a truly remarkable woman from Alamo, Texas, Clemencia Esteviz, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday on November 22. From her early days at working in the fields to her dedicated service to the Diocese of Brownsville, Clemencia has lived a life filled with resilience, hard work, and unwavering devotion to her family and to others. Her family treasures the warmth that she brings to every Christmas gathering, where her tamale-making traditions have created many cherished memories for generations. She has extended her nurturing spirit beyond her immediate family, raising her niece's child as her own. I wish Clemencia a happy birthday and congratulate her on this incredible milestone. Emergency Aid Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm for our farmers in south Texas and American food security. South Texas farmers are facing a crisis due to the Mexican Government's failure to honor its water obligations under the 1944 water treaty. This neglect has left over 960,000 acre-feet of water undelivered, devastating our agricultural sector. The Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers, after 50 years, has shut down, taking 500 American jobs with it. Our citrus and our vegetable farmers have seen millions in losses, and row crop yields are down 40 percent. Without immediate action, more livelihoods will be destroyed. Keep in mind, Mr. Speaker, food security is national security. That is why I have introduced H.R. 10113, the South Texas Agriculture Emergency Assistance Act. This bill provides $280 million in emergency aid to our farmers. Earlier in 2024, water was selling for around $300 per acre-foot. At that amount, the value of the water deficit is about $280 million, the amount we are requesting in emergency aid. This does not come close to equaling the losses to producers, but it is a starting point for funds needed to aid the region. Mr. Speaker, I urge leadership to include this legislation in any emergency aid bill that comes to the floor. Let's stand with our farmers and ensure that they have the resources to recover and thrive, which ultimately means American farmers feed American citizens and that we do not depend on foreign actors for our food. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR10113

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HONORING CLEMENCIA ESTEVIZ ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024)] [House] [Page H6806] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING CLEMENCIA ESTEVIZ ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. De La Cruz) for 5 minutes. Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a truly remarkable woman from Alamo, Texas, Clemencia Esteviz, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday on November 22. From her early days at working in the fields to her dedicated service to the Diocese of Brownsville, Clemencia has lived a life filled with resilience, hard work, and unwavering devotion to her family and to others. Her family treasures the warmth that she brings to every Christmas gathering, where her tamale-making traditions have created many cherished memories for generations. She has extended her nurturing spirit beyond her immediate family, raising her niece's child as her own. I wish Clemencia a happy birthday and congratulate her on this incredible milestone. Emergency Aid Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm for our farmers in south Texas and American food security. South Texas farmers are facing a crisis due to the Mexican Government's failure to honor its water obligations under the 1944 water treaty. This neglect has left over 960,000 acre-feet of water undelivered, devastating our agricultural sector. The Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers, after 50 years, has shut down, taking 500 American jobs with it. Our citrus and our vegetable farmers have seen millions in losses, and row crop yields are down 40 percent. Without immediate action, more livelihoods will be destroyed. Keep in mind, Mr. Speaker, food security is national security. That is why I have introduced H.R. 10113, the South Texas Agriculture Emergency Assistance Act. This bill provides $280 million in emergency aid to our farmers. Earlier in 2024, water was selling for around $300 per acre-foot. At that amount, the value of the water deficit is about $280 million, the amount we are requesting in emergency aid. This does not come close to equaling the losses to producers, but it is a starting point for funds needed to aid the region. Mr. Speaker, I urge leadership to include this legislation in any emergency aid bill that comes to the floor. Let's stand with our farmers and ensure that they have the resources to recover and thrive, which ultimately means American farmers feed American citizens and that we do not depend on foreign actors for our food. ____________________ Referenced legislation: HR10113