HONORING FORMER MAYOR DOLLY PEREZ

On 2026-07-21, Representative Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING FORMER MAYOR DOLLY PEREZ" in the House.

HONORING FORMER MAYOR DOLLY PEREZ

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4686-H4687] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING FORMER MAYOR DOLLY PEREZ (Ms. De La Cruz of Texas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. De La Cruz. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor former mayor, Dolly Perez, on her retirement after nearly four decades of service to the city of Premont. Dolly's deep commitment to her hometown is a family legacy, inspired by her father who served on the city council over 70 years ago. After giving 36 incredible years of service as Premont's city secretary, Dolly answered the call to leadership, successfully running for mayor to finish community projects, balancing the city budget, and building a brighter future for the town she loves. {time} 1015 Her decades of sacrifice, compassion, and leadership have left an incredible mark on the community. [[Page H4687]] I thank Mayor Dolly Perez for her extraordinary lifetime of public service and congratulate her on her well-deserved retirement. Honoring Retired Air Force Major Homer Gallegos Ms. De La Cruz. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of an American hero and a pillar of the McAllen community, retired United States Air Force Major Homer Gallegos. Born and raised in McAllen, Major Gallegos answered the call to duty in 1968, enlisting in the Air Force and serving a tour of duty in south Vietnam. He dedicated 30 years to the Air Force Reserves, ultimately retiring at the rank of major. His service to our Nation did not end when he took off the uniform. For over two decades, Major Gallegos worked as a licensed professional counselor at the McAllen Vet Center, helping his fellow veterans heal from the invisible wounds of war. He served as a commander of the VFW Post 8788 for over 20 years, where he stood in the honor guard to provide final military honors to Rio Grande Valley veterans. His lifetime of selflessness earned him the national Hands and Heart Award from the Secretary of Veteran's Affairs. His legacy will forever be defined by his faith, devotion to his family, and his servant's heart. 100th Anniversary of Falfurrias Volunteer Fire Department Ms. De La Cruz. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the incredible men and women of the Falfurrias Volunteer Fire Department for 100 years of service to south Texas. The department's history traces back to 1926, when local citizens formed a bucket brigade to fight a fire breaking out in Falfurrias. Recognizing the need for an organized operation, the brave community members officially established the department. From its earliest days, operating with an old Jeep carrying a single barrel of water, the department has grown into a modern emergency response powerhouse with a fleet of over 15 trucks, covering more than 500 square miles across Brooks County. For 100 years, their mission has remained unchanged: to serve with honor and with bravery. We are grateful to the Falfurrias Volunteer Fire Department for keeping Brooks County safe. Recognizing Special Interns Ms. De La Cruz. Mr. Speaker, I would like to quickly recognize that we have special interns from the district that are celebrating their birthday today. I would like to wish a happy birthday to David Rodriguez and Joseph Uribe. We wish them many blessings, today and always. God bless them. ____________________