Floor SpeechNeutral2026-04-29

HONORING ART GUERRERO

TaxesTradeInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-04-29, Representative Greg Casar (D-TX-35) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING ART GUERRERO" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered trade policy, infrastructure.

Full Text

HONORING ART GUERRERO

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E387-E388] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING ART GUERRERO ______ HON. GREG CASAR of texas in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Mr. CASAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Art Guerrero, a dedicated public servant whose integrity, courage, and commitment to justice helped free an innocent woman after more than two decades of wrongful imprisonment. A native Austinite, Mr. Guerrero is an alum of Metz Elementary School, Allan Junior High School, and Johnston High School, Class of 1966. He went on to attend Southwest Texas State in San Marcos and left after his first year to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He continued his public service by working for a Justice of the Peace in Travis County and then as a deputy under Sheriff Raymond Frank. Then, after seven years with the Mueller Airport Police, Art was an investigator for the city until he retired in the 1980s. After retirement, Art decided to return to the Travis County Courthouse as a bailiff. In 2005, Mr. Guerrero served during the trial of Carmen Mejia, who was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life in prison. While bailiffs are neutral observers at trial, Art recalled that this case deeply troubled him. Having witnessed many trials before, he worried that Mejia had not received adequate legal representation during her trial. In 2022, Art connected with the Innocence Project and officials in the Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza's Office to share his [[Page E388]] concerns and encourage a review of the case. His tireless advocacy helped initiate a reexamination of the conviction. In 2025 and 2026, District Judge David Wahlberg formally found Carmen Mejia innocent, and she was exonerated and freed after 23 years behind bars. Throughout this process, Mr. Guerrero has remained humble about his role, emphasizing that he simply followed his conscience and his belief that justice must always be pursued with honesty and fairness. His willingness to come forward demonstrates the importance of integrity in public service and reminds us that safeguarding our liberties requires vigilance from everyone. When the powers that be are wrong, our Nation relies on the moral integrity of everyday citizens like Art Guerrero to set things right. As the United States Representative for the 35th District of Texas, it is my great privilege to recognize Art Guerrero for his years of service to the people of Texas and for his principled commitment to fairness and accountability. His example reminds us that the strength of our democracy depends not only on laws and institutions, but also on the courage of those willing to challenge those institutions for the sake of justice. I am grateful for his decency, his tenacity, and his commitment to the pursuit of fairness for all Texans. ____________________

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HONORING ART GUERRERO Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E387-E388] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING ART GUERRERO ______ HON. GREG CASAR of texas in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Mr. CASAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Art Guerrero, a dedicated public servant whose integrity, courage, and commitment to justice helped free an innocent woman after more than two decades of wrongful imprisonment. A native Austinite, Mr. Guerrero is an alum of Metz Elementary School, Allan Junior High School, and Johnston High School, Class of 1966. He went on to attend Southwest Texas State in San Marcos and left after his first year to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He continued his public service by working for a Justice of the Peace in Travis County and then as a deputy under Sheriff Raymond Frank. Then, after seven years with the Mueller Airport Police, Art was an investigator for the city until he retired in the 1980s. After retirement, Art decided to return to the Travis County Courthouse as a bailiff. In 2005, Mr. Guerrero served during the trial of Carmen Mejia, who was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life in prison. While bailiffs are neutral observers at trial, Art recalled that this case deeply troubled him. Having witnessed many trials before, he worried that Mejia had not received adequate legal representation during her trial. In 2022, Art connected with the Innocence Project and officials in the Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza's Office to share his [[Page E388]] concerns and encourage a review of the case. His tireless advocacy helped initiate a reexamination of the conviction. In 2025 and 2026, District Judge David Wahlberg formally found Carmen Mejia innocent, and she was exonerated and freed after 23 years behind bars. Throughout this process, Mr. Guerrero has remained humble about his role, emphasizing that he simply followed his conscience and his belief that justice must always be pursued with honesty and fairness. His willingness to come forward demonstrates the importance of integrity in public service and reminds us that safeguarding our liberties requires vigilance from everyone. When the powers that be are wrong, our Nation relies on the moral integrity of everyday citizens like Art Guerrero to set things right. As the United States Representative for the 35th District of Texas, it is my great privilege to recognize Art Guerrero for his years of service to the people of Texas and for his principled commitment to fairness and accountability. His example reminds us that the strength of our democracy depends not only on laws and institutions, but also on the courage of those willing to challenge those institutions for the sake of justice. I am grateful for his decency, his tenacity, and his commitment to the pursuit of fairness for all Texans. ____________________