FEATURED, FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT: Shayne Woodard, Derrick Chubbs, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo/Starr County; and Beth Corbett. Back row, from left: Jamie Olson; and Alma Bouble. Those individuals were on hand on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at the Texas Capitol for the presentation by Zaffirini of Senate Resolution 142, which recognized the efforts of the 21 food banks in Texas for “their critical assistance to Texans in need during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic turmoil.”
Photograph Courtesy SEN. JUDITH ZAFFIRINI FACEBOOK
FEATURED: The Pharr International Bridge serves as one of the most important ports of entry for the U.S.-Mexico border. It handles both commercial and passenger-operated vehicles and crosses about one hundred seventy-five thousand vehicles a month.
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Nolan Pérez, MD, Member, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System; John H. Krouse, then-Dean, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen; and Guy Bailey, President, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. This image was taken in the Student Union Building at UTRGV in Edinburg on Monday, October 21, 2019, following a press conference regarding a new early-assurance, pre-med program for high school students throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Hinojosa was the author in 2013 of Senate Bill 24, which resulted in the creation of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and its School of Medicine.
FEATURED: Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, who also serves as Chair, House Committee on Transportation, reviews one of his legislative measures on Thursday, April 29, 2021, in his office at the Texas Capitol.
FEATURED: Net proceeds from the 1st AnnualPURPLE PROJECT: A 5K FOR ALL CANCERS will benefit the cancer patients assisted through the Renaissance Cancer Foundation. The Renaissance Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2008. Its mission is to provide financial assistance to uninsured cancer patients in the Rio Grande Valley.
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Former Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Sr. (1952-2020); his wife of 44 years, Connie Bazan Muñoz; their son, Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission; and their daughter, Marla López. This image was taken on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at the Texas Capitol during the opening day of the 85th Texas Legislature.
FEATURED: Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, seen here at the Texas Capitol, recently showed off the Super Bowl XII ring earned in 1978 by former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson, standing next to the Valley state lawmaker. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cowboys in 1973, Pearson enjoyed an accomplished 11-year career in the NFL and totaled 489 receptions and 7,822 yards. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and played on three Super Bowl teams. Pearson was honored by the Texas Legislature on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 for those achievements, and for being selected earlier this year to the NFL Hall of Fame.
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Joe E. Vega, Parks Director, Cameron County; Pete Sepulveda, Jr., Executive Director, Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority; Speaker of the House Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont; Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, D-Brownsville; and Cameron County Commissioner Joey López. This image was taken at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.
Photograph Courtesy REP. EDDIE LUCIO, III FACEBOOK
FEATURED: Sen. Judith Zaffirini, whose Senate District 21 includes Starr County, reacts on Friday, March 8, 2013, to being honored with a Presidential Citation, the highest honor bestowed by the University of Texas at Austin, at the university’s AT&T Conference Center.
Photograph Courtesy THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
FEATURED: Dr. Michael B. Hocker, Senior Associate Dean and Designated Institutional Official (DIO) for Graduate Medical Education at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) at Augusta University, on Friday, May 14, 2021, was announced as the new Dean of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. He will be taking over the duties of John H. Krouse, MD, PhD, MBA on Monday, June 28, 2021. Krouse announced in 2020 that he would be stepping down as Dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine and as Executive Vice President of Health Affairs for UTRGV to serve in a faculty position. Hocker has ties to the Rio Grande Valley, noting that he and his family are excited about joining the UTRGV community and moving to South Texas, where they will be closer to his mother, Jean, and stepfather, Richard, who currently live in Harlingen.
Photograph Courtesy UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY