Floor SpeechCeremonial2025-03-11

CONGRATULATING HECTOR MORENO, JR., ON HIS RETIREMENT

ImmigrationEducationCrime & Justice

Context

On 2025-03-11, Representative Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15) delivered a floor speech titled "CONGRATULATING HECTOR MORENO, JR., ON HIS RETIREMENT" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered education, crime and justice.

Full Text

CONGRATULATING HECTOR MORENO, JR., ON HIS RETIREMENT

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 45 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025)] [House] [Page H1072] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONGRATULATING HECTOR MORENO, JR., ON HIS RETIREMENT (Ms. De La Cruz of Texas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. De La Cruz. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Border Patrol Agent Hector Moreno, Jr., for his 27 years of service. Born and raised in McAllen, Texas, Mr. Hector Moreno, Jr., pursued a career of selfless service to our community. He joined the Border Patrol in 1997 and, for nearly three decades, has set a high standard for his fellow agents by upholding their core values of service to our country, integrity, and vigilance. During his tenure, he successfully led specialized operations in the Rio Grande Valley to combat transnational crime and tackle illicit drug trafficking at our southern border. I had the opportunity to join Mr. Moreno in south Texas to participate in a ride-along and hear from Border Patrol agents and experience their daily work of protecting our communities. Last summer, Mr. Moreno retired as a division chief for the Rio Grande Valley Sector. We are grateful for his honorable service and exemplary leadership to fellow agents and our community. In his retirement, he continues to serve others as a criminal justice teacher at Nikki Rowe High School in McAllen, Texas, and leads the Student Criminal Justice Club. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Moreno for his selfless service. I congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement. Recognizing Texas Independence Day and Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis Ms. De La Cruz. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, we celebrated Texas Independence Day and the brave efforts of Texas revolutionaries and Tejanos who fought to secure their independence from Mexico. I rise today to recognize the heroes of the Texas Revolution and share the brave words of Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis to rally the Texans' army at the Alamo nearly 200 years ago: ``Bejar, February 24, 1836. ``To the people of Texas and all Americans in the world. ``Fellow citizens and compatriots: ``I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. ``The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. ``Then, I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism, and everything dear to the American character to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to 3,000 or 4,000 in 4 or 5 days. ``If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country. ``Victory or death. ``William Barret Travis, Lieutenant Colonel Commandant. ``P.S., the Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared in sight, we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of beeves. ``Travis.'' Though we know Texans lost this battle, Lieutenant Travis' words were heard for miles. ``Remember the Alamo'' became a battle cry, and revolutionaries joined the Texan forces to win the war and secure freedom for Texas. I rise today to proudly honor our great State and the brave men and women who built Texas on values of family, faith, and freedom. ____________________

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CONGRATULATING HECTOR MORENO, JR., ON HIS RETIREMENT Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 45 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025)] [House] [Page H1072] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONGRATULATING HECTOR MORENO, JR., ON HIS RETIREMENT (Ms. De La Cruz of Texas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. De La Cruz. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Border Patrol Agent Hector Moreno, Jr., for his 27 years of service. Born and raised in McAllen, Texas, Mr. Hector Moreno, Jr., pursued a career of selfless service to our community. He joined the Border Patrol in 1997 and, for nearly three decades, has set a high standard for his fellow agents by upholding their core values of service to our country, integrity, and vigilance. During his tenure, he successfully led specialized operations in the Rio Grande Valley to combat transnational crime and tackle illicit drug trafficking at our southern border. I had the opportunity to join Mr. Moreno in south Texas to participate in a ride-along and hear from Border Patrol agents and experience their daily work of protecting our communities. Last summer, Mr. Moreno retired as a division chief for the Rio Grande Valley Sector. We are grateful for his honorable service and exemplary leadership to fellow agents and our community. In his retirement, he continues to serve others as a criminal justice teacher at Nikki Rowe High School in McAllen, Texas, and leads the Student Criminal Justice Club. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Moreno for his selfless service. I congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement. Recognizing Texas Independence Day and Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis Ms. De La Cruz. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, we celebrated Texas Independence Day and the brave efforts of Texas revolutionaries and Tejanos who fought to secure their independence from Mexico. I rise today to recognize the heroes of the Texas Revolution and share the brave words of Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis to rally the Texans' army at the Alamo nearly 200 years ago: ``Bejar, February 24, 1836. ``To the people of Texas and all Americans in the world. ``Fellow citizens and compatriots: ``I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. ``The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. ``Then, I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism, and everything dear to the American character to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to 3,000 or 4,000 in 4 or 5 days. ``If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country. ``Victory or death. ``William Barret Travis, Lieutenant Colonel Commandant. ``P.S., the Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared in sight, we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of beeves. ``Travis.'' Though we know Texans lost this battle, Lieutenant Travis' words were heard for miles. ``Remember the Alamo'' became a battle cry, and revolutionaries joined the Texan forces to win the war and secure freedom for Texas. I rise today to proudly honor our great State and the brave men and women who built Texas on values of family, faith, and freedom. ____________________