FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Sen. Adán “Adam” Hinojosa, R-Corpus Christi, on Thursday, March 24, 2026, at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. The three Rio Grande Valley leaders were on hand for the announcement by Valeo, a French multinational automotive supplier, that the company is going to build in McAllen a $225 million project involving a 337,000-square-foot facility focused on advanced automotive technology. It is reported to be the largest single industrial investment in Hidalgo County history.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/03/25/texas-rio-grande-valley-high-tech-jobs-valeo-manufacturing
Photograph Courtesy REP. TERRY CANALES FACEBOOK
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Rep. Terry Canales being joined by other visionary leaders, business giants, and political trailblazers to serve on Texas Bicentennial Commission
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, is being joined by other visionary leaders, business giants, and political trailblazers to serve on the Texas Bicentennial Commission, following an announcement by Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday, May 18, 2026.
The Texas Bicentennial Commission, a 23-member state body created by the Texas Legislature last year to plan, coordinate, and promote the 200th anniversary in 2036 of the Lone Star State, had Canales appointed to that group several weeks ago.
A bicentennial is the 200th anniversary of an event, person’s birth, or founding, or the celebration of that 200-year milestone.
“I am honored to be one of the first members of the Texas House of Representatives to the Texas Bicentennial Commission and to help guide this historic milestone for our state,” said Canales. “As we prepare to celebrate 200 years of Texas independence, it is important that we tell the full story of our state, one that reflects the diversity, resilience, and contributions of all Texans, including the communities of the Rio Grande Valley.”
Canales was named by Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, on Friday, April 17, 2026 to serve as a member on the newly established Texas Bicentennial Commission, which was created by Senate Bill 1350 during the 89th Texas Legislative Session in the spring of 2025.
Canales is one of three Texas House members appointed to the commission by the Texas Speaker of the House, alongside Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, and Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe.
Canales, whose leadership roles in the Texas Legislature includes his position as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Transportation Funding, emphasized the importance of ensuring South Texas has a strong voice in the planning process.
“As we prepare for this historic milestone, I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that this celebration is inclusive, educational, and reflective of the diverse communities that make Texas strong,” Canales added. “The Rio Grande Valley has played a vital role in shaping Texas’ history, culture, and economy. This commission is an opportunity to highlight our region’s contributions and ensure that our communities are fully represented in this statewide celebration.”
Canales was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2012, representing District 40, which covers the heart of Hidalgo County. The district includes the cities of Edinburg (Hidalgo County seat), Elsa, César Chávez, Murillo, La Coma Heights, San Carlos, La Blanca, Linn, Lópezville, and portions of McAllen, Pharr and San Juan.
From 2019 to January 2025, he served as Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, becoming the first Latino to hold this position. He currently serves Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation Funding, a vital position for advancing transportation infrastructure in the rapidly-growing Rio Grande Valley, where strategic investments in transportation are essential to economic development and quality of life.
https://house.texas.gov/members/2340/biography
Abbott’s selections to serve with Canales feature:
• John L. Nau, III of Houston is a businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the former chairman and CEO of Silver Eagle Distributors. He will serve as Chairman of the Texas Bicentennial Commission.
https://authentictexas.com/john-l-nau-iii/
• James Perry “J.P.” Bryan, Jr. of Houston and Galveston is the founder and CEO of Torch Energy Advisors, Inc. Bryan currently serves as Executive Director of the Texas State Historical Association, Chairman of Lone Star Coastal Alliance, and on the Alamo Church Experience committee.
https://www.tshaonline.org/about/people/j-p-bryan
• Ashley Bowes Cash of Lubbock is a real estate and oil & gas investor with decades of experience across real estate, land development, banking, ranching, and investing.
https://www.give2tech.com/s/1422/c22/interior.aspx?sid=1422&gid=1005&pgid=6227
• Tilman Fertitta of Houston is the United States Ambassador to Italy and San Marino. He is the sole owner of Fertitta Entertainment, which owns the restaurant giant Landry’s, the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casinos, and the NBA’s Houston Rockets.
https://it.usembassy.gov/ambassador-tilman-j-fertitta
• Joe Gebbia of Austin is the chief design officer at the National Design Studio and the co-founder of Airbnb. Gebbia received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and Industrial Design.
https://texasbusiness.org/2024-inductees/joe-gebbia/
• Charlotte Jones of Dallas is the Chief Brand Officer and co-owner of the Dallas Cowboys Football Club. Additionally, she is the president of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. She serves as chairman on the NFL Foundation, the Health and Safety Committee, and the NFL’s Legalized Sports Betting Committee
https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/front-office-roster/charlotte-jones
• Zachary Levi of Austin is an actor, producer, singer, and author known for his versatile performances across stage and screen. Best known for his titular role in the hit NBC series Chuck and as the lead superhero in the Shazam! franchise, Levi has also earned critical acclaim for portraying Kurt Warner in American Underdog and winning a SAG Award for his ensemble work in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
• Jack Martin of Dallas is an entrepreneur, rancher, and globally recognized strategic thought leader. Martin founded Public Strategies Incorporated (PSI), which grew into one of the most successful corporate advisory firms in the world. Under his leadership, PSI helped shape the business climate in Texas, and later globally, as an advisor to CEOs and board members.
Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, was the author of Senate Bill 1350.
As primary author of Senate Bill 1350, Hughes was the legislator who filed the bill and guided it through the Senate.
Filed refers to a bill or resolution that has been introduced into the legislative process and given a number.
A bill is a legislative measure that is the primary means used to create and change the laws of the state. A bill becomes law on its effective date if it is passed by both the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives, and it is not vetoed by the governor.
Legislation is a proposed or enacted law or group of laws.
https://tlc.texas.gov/Glossary
The Lone Star State will turn 200 years old on March 2, 2036, but state lawmakers, such as Canales, will be laying the foundation beginning this year, in anticipation of elaborate and large events and celebrations leading to the Texas bicentennial.
Texas officially declared independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836, forming the Republic of Texas. Independence was effectively secured following the victory at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.
Texas existed as an independent nation for nine years before joining the United States as a state in December 1845.
The Texas Bicentennial Commission will work over the coming decade to develop programming, partnerships, and initiatives that engage Texans across the state and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
It’s responsibilities include partnering with local communities, promoting historical education and civic engagement, supporting tourism and economic development, and ensuring the celebration reflects the diverse history and culture of all regions of Texas.
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=what+is+Starbase,+Texas?&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
The Texas House Committee on Transportation (and its subcommittees) oversees the state’s transportation infrastructure, including highway development, motor vehicle regulation, and bridge maintenance. They review and pass legislation affecting TxDOT projects, speed enforcement, and transportation funding. They also monitor transportation agencies and ensure public safety.
“From Peñitas in Hidalgo County, which is one of the oldest European settlements in the United States, to Starbase in Cameron County, which one of the newest Texas cities and doubles as the headquarters for Space X, along with the Rio Grande Valley and its almost 1.5 million residents, represent honor, achievement, and vision,” he said. “The Rio Grande Valley, from west in Starr County to east in Willacy County, is a powerhouse in the Texas economy and American way of life, now and for generations to come.”
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Where+is+Starbase,+Texas?&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
The Rio Grande Valley is made up of Hidalgo County (estimated population of 930,000); Cameron County (estimated population of 434,940 to 435,426); Starr County (estimated population of 66,240 to 66,887); and Willacy County (estimated population of 19,598 to 19,872).
Two major Mexican cities are located across the Rio Grande River from the Rio Grande Valley: Reynosa, with an estimated regional population of one million residents, is 30 miles south of McAllen; and Matamoros, with an estimated regional population of 750,000, is 20 miles south of Brownsville.
The Rio Grande Valley economy is a rapidly growing border region driven by international trade, manufacturing (maquiladoras), agriculture, and a booming healthcare sector, supported by a young workforce. Key highlights include more than $5 billion in annual retail sales, major aerospace expansion (Space X), and significant citrus/vegetable production.
In addition, the Rio Grande Valley has transformed its higher education landscape, highlighted by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley being rated as a top national university for social mobility, affordability and innovation. Key pillars include the expansion of medical education (UTRGV School of Medicine/Podiatric Medicine, a booming Hispanic-Serving Institution sector with high graduate rate increases, and the Texas A&M Higher Education Center providing regional access to Tier-1 university programs.
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, DHR Health and the University of Houston confirmed a plan to develop a regional campus of UH’s Tilman J. Fertitta College on Medicine on DHR land in northeast McAllen.
In 2026, the Rio Grande Valley is experiencing a major infrastructure and industrial boom, highlighted by the $150 million expansion of the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, a shift toward high-tech manufacturing with a new Avant Technology semiconductor plant in Pharr, and advancements in water treatment technology, including a new modular water plant aimed at enhancing regional water supply, according to the Rio Grande Valley Journal.
The Rio Grande Valley has a rich history originating with indigenous tribes 11,000 years ago, followed by Spanish colonization in the 1700s that established ranching. After becoming a U.S.-Mexico border in 1848, the regional transformed from cattle ranching to a major agricultural “Magic Valley” in the early 1900s through irrigation, railroads, and the citrus industry.
According to the bill analysis of the measure (a bill analysis is a document prepared for bills and joint resolutions reported out of committee that includes a description of the content of the measure and other required information):
• Senate Bill 1350 establishes the Texas Bicentennial Commission to coordinate celebrations of the bicentennial anniversary of Texas' independence. Since there was an established commission for celebrating 150 years (sesquicentennial) of Texas’ independence, the Texas Legislature saw fit to commission the celebration of 200 years of Texas’ independence.
•. The Texas Bicentennial Commission is to be composed of 23 members: Nine members of the public appointed by the governor with consent from the Senate, three senators and three state representatives appointed by the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house, respectively.
• The Texas Bicentennial Commission will also be headed by the executive directors of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, Texas Historical Commission, and Texas Commission on the Arts; the commissioners of education and higher education; and the directors of the Texas Film Commission, the travel information division of the Texas Department of Transportation, and the Institute of Texan Cultures at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
• The public members shall reflect diverse geographic and population groups of this state. All Texas Bicentennial Commission members are voting members, and the duties that ex officio members perform are in addition to their original duties that qualified them for the position. Public members serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. Appointed members of the commission serve staggered six-year terms, with one-third of the members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house expiring on January 31 of each odd-numbered year.
• One presiding officer (John L. Nau, III of Houston) is appointed by, and serves at the will of, the governor. If absent from a meeting, the Texas Bicentennial Commission members present at the meeting elect a temporary presiding officer by majority vote. The Texas Bicentennial Commission shall meet at least quarterly and by call of the presiding officer. The Texas Bicentennial Commission may employ an executive director, who has capacity to employ staff necessary to administer the commission.
• No later than September 1, 2037, a report shall be filed with the governor and legislature discussing the effects of the Texas Bicentennial Commission activities. The Texas Bicentennial Commission may solicit and accept grants, donations, and gifts from any source to perform its duties. Senate Bill 1350 offers many opportunities for Texans to celebrate their patriotism, as well as the heritage, history and independence of their state.
For more information on Senate Bill 1350, such as its History, Text, Actions, Companions, Amendments, Authors, Sponsors, Captions, and Bill Stages, log on to:
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1350
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Alma Uribe contributed to this article. For more on this and other Texas legislative news stories that affect the Rio Grande Valley metropolitan region, please log on to Titans of the Texas Legislature (TitansoftheTexasLegislature.com).
