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Washington, D.C. – A bill Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) championed to rename the post office on Broadway Street after Texas legend Benny C. Martinez passed the Senate, and now heading to President Biden's desk for signature. This is the first postal service office named after a Latino in the Houston area. Martinez was a prominent community leader who worked as a Harris County nurse for 30 years and 5 years as Deputy Sheriff, served the Houston area through countless organizations and advocacy groups, and was a U.S. Army veteran.
Washington D.C. – Today, a bill championed by Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) to rename the post office on Galveston Road in Houston after her constituent, US Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén, passed the House and is now heading to President Biden's desk for signature. The brutal murder of Vanessa at the hands of another soldier sparked a national movement across the country – leading to historic military justice reform that moved sexual assault and harassment investigations outside of the military's chain of command.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) issued the following statement in honor of the late Lupe "Champ" Fraga:
"Lupe Fraga, known affectionately by the community as simply "Champ", was a Houston legend who grew up in the East End. Over the decades, Champ became known as a pioneer in the Latino business community, a neighborhood leader, a dedicated public servant, and an honorable veteran who served in the U.S. Army."
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) extended her congratulations to Alamdar Hamdani on being recently confirmed as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas by the U.S. Senate.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Garcia announced $30 million for small shipyard grant programs and $30 million in grants for maritime centers of excellence were authorized by the House today. These funds could soon benefit the Houston region's maritime industry and training centers.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter to Secretary of theAir Force Frank Kendall requesting an internal review to identify barriers holding Latino officers from rising to the senior ranks of general officer. The CHC also requested that the Department of the Air Force (DAF) provide recommendations and action steps to address identified Latino disparities in the DAF.
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to protect same-sex and interracial marriage. The bill, known as the Respect for Marriage Act, will need final approval from the U.S. House of Representatives before it heads to President Joe Biden's desk.
If signed into law, the bipartisan bill would require all 50 states to recognize all legal same-sex marriages across the country. Tuesday's vote was part of a final push for congressional Democrats to pass their agenda before Republicans gain majority of the House next year.
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"I Am Vanessa Guillén" (NR) (3.5) [Partially subtitled] [Available Nov. 17 on Netflix.] — Christy Wegener's in-depth, heartbreaking, touching, behind-the-scenes, gut-wrenching, eye-opening, ire-inducing, 96-minute documentary that delves into the disappearance and horrific murder by U.S. soldier Aaron David Robison and his accomplice girlfriend Cecily Aguilar in April 2020 at the Fort Hood military base in Texas of dedicated 20-year-old U.S. Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén.
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HOUSTON — With the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a Houston 15-year-old got her dream quinceañera.
It's the celebration from childhood to womanhood for many Latinas. For Genesis Tamez, the celebration was extra special.
Genesis' mom told KHOU 11 that doctors said she wasn't supposed to live past 20 days old. She was born at just 25 weeks, weighing only one pound.
Getting to this celebration wasn't an easy feat.
"It's a miracle she is here with us today," said Emily Velasquez, Genesis' sister.
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WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) — A new Netflix documentary about Vanessa Guillén — the Army Specialist who went missing and was found slain at Fort Hood in 2020 — chronicles her family's fight for justice in the aftermath of the 20-year-old Houston native's death, as lawmakers grappled with how to improve the way the military handles sexual assault and harassment.
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