A CAPITOL BLOG

• Happy Turkey Day Everyone

  
  From our family to yours, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving! [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 9:35am EST
  

• Texas Tribune: The Texas Governor's Race in 60 Seconds

  [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 11:39am EST
  

• Congressman Patrick Kennedy Denied Communion Because of Pro-Choice Stance

  
  
  It's hard not to see the beauty in the Villanova University statue. It is only when the statue is seen through the prism of the abortion debate does one's view of it change.
  
  The abortion debate continues in today's headlines as we [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 2:16pm EST
  

• It's Going to Be A Good Day For Texas

  
  Getting ready for some football. My Alma Mater needs to keep winning in order to have a shot at the national title. So let it be written ... so let it be done! [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 11:36am EST
  

• The Greatest Thing ....

  
  
  "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is (just) to love and be loved in return".
  
  - eden ahbez' [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 3:02pm EST
  

• Bringing Home the Bacon for the District

  
  
  This is a celebratory photo that we took on the floor of the Texas House today. I was joined in the state capitol by the Elsa Mayor and the city council. A proud moment today as we succeeded in bringing more money back home to [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 4:43pm EST
  

• The Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address and our Census

  
  
  On November 19, 1863, at the dedication of a military cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War President Abraham Lincoln delivers one of the most memorable speeches in American history. In just 272 words, Lincoln brilliantly and movingly reminded a war-weary public why the Union had [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 10:35am EST
  

• California Dreamin'

  
  
  I was California Dreamin' and looking forward to a good national conference on health care and immigration policy but with the City of Elsa receiving critical Texas grants I've decided to cancel my flight today to the Los Angeles conference and am instead heading up to Austin [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 9:00am EST
  

• 7-year-old El Paso Boy Killed in Juárez

  
  The impact of an image or a message sometimes reverberates onward long past it's temporal origins. Burned onto our collective memories, powerful descriptions or photographs have the ability to encapsulate our deepest fears or ambitions.
  
  Regardless of one's perspective the incident portrayed above of [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 11:20am EST
  

• Pleased to Announce $1.9 Million for Hometown Infrastructure

  
  
  I have informed the city of Edinburg that they have been awarded a grant in the amount of $1,974,325.00. The grant will allow the city to purchase and install permanent generators and other equipment at the city's water and wastewater plants. The funds will also [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 7:49am EST
  

• High Flight

  
  
  High Flight
  
  Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
  And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
  Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
  of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
  You have not dreamed of—wheeled and [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 8:45pm EST
  

• Going Rogue

  [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 10:44am EST
  

• Be Still

  
  "What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that" [...]
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  Posted: November 14, 2009, 12:52pm EST
  

• Our Family Gathers

  
  
  Today I paid my respects to families who lost their sons in the war in Iraq at a ceremony at the Rio Grande Valley Veterans Cemetary in Mission. Valley children who lost a parent in service to our country received special recognition. US Senator John [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 8:31pm EST
  

• Another $500,000.00 For Our Community's Infrastructure

  
  
  I am pleased to announce that the City of Elsa is set to receive a $500,000.00 grant for drainage improvements and equipment purchases for the city's water plant. I informed the mayor of the award which is being made available from 2008 Supplemental Disaster Recovery' [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 10:13am EST
  

• Valley Resident Marcel Albert is French Medal of Honor Recipient

  
  
  Today I met one of the greatest Flying Aces of World War II, Marcel Albert. Interestingly enough this veteran, decorated by at least three countries, lives here in the Rio Grande Valley. Today he received the French Medal of Honor delivered to him personally by [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 7:14pm EST
  

• Visiting Freddy Gonzalez Veterans Nursing Home

  
  
  I just returned from the Freddy Gonzalez Veterans' Nursing Home where I had a chance to pay my respects to the veterans who are living there. I had the pleasure of seeing the nursing homes namesake's mother, Dolia Gonzalez.
  
  I also had a [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 5:43pm EST
  

• Veterans Day: The Valley Remembers

  
  I spent the morning with Veterans and their families from across South Texas. On this special day of remembrance we dedicated three memorial walls containing the images of our those who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. All the families who lost their sons in [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 1:36pm EST
  

• Texas Metros Claim 4 of the Top 5 Spots In Job Creation

  I am so pleased to report that my home community, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas, ranked fourth in U.S. metros in it's ability to create and sustain jobs by the 2009 Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners Best-Performing Cities Index.
  
  Texas metros claimed four of the top five spots' [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 10:14am EST
  

• Veterans Day: We Will Remember

  
  
  On Veterans Day, America honors those who fought in the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and other war zones.
  
  Veterans Day actually started out as Armistice Day in 1919, a year after the Allies and [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 7:24am EST
  

• Marine Corps Celebrates 234 Years

  
  The United States Marine Corps celebrates its 234th birthday today. With Veterans Day occurring tomorrow it is fitting to have two major military dates fall during a week where we as a country are examining our national security in the wake the Fort Hood massacre.
  [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 3:13pm EST
  

• "Tear Down this Wall!"

  
  
  The Berlin Wall fell twenty years ago on Nov. 9, 1989, ending almost 30 years of family separation of a singular community. On a day like today it is always fitting to remember President Reagan's speech at the Berlin Wall. Perhaps the most momentous' [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 8:18am EST
  

• The Hargill 2009 Cook-Off

  The Cook-Off.
  The Cooking Team.
  The Head Cook.
  Our Victory Enforcement Caucus. [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 4:20pm EST
  

• A South Texas Cook-Off

  

  
  Today I am taking part in the Annual Hargill Cook-Off. Each year we put together a team and do our darndest to win one of the various cook-off categories. Mainly, it's just eating and having fun, South' [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 11:21am EST
  

• A Legislative Tour of Texas A&M - Kingsville

  
  
  Dr. Steven H. Tallant, President of Texas A&M University-Kingsville visited my Edinburg office earlier this week. There he invited me to personally take a tour of the Kingsville campus. Today I followed up on that invitation. I was joined by Kingsville Representative Tara Rios Ybarra [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 9:28pm EST
  

• A Hopson's Choice

  
  My dear friend, Representative Chuck Hopson has scheduled a press conference in which he will announce that he is switching parties. Hopson, a conservative Democrat, follows a number of other East Texas Democrats who have recently converted to the Republican Party.
  
  The phrase [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 10:43am EST
  

• Our Prayers Are With Them

  [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 8:53pm EST
  

• Sen. Leticia Van de Putte Honored As A "Legend of Success"

  
  
  San Antonio State Senator Leticia Van de Putte will be honored today at a noontime gathering of the Rio Grande Valley's Dress for Success organization. She will be joined by two other recipients: Dora Brown of IBC Bank and Yvonne Gonzalez of' [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 7:28am EST
  

• Keynoting for the RGV Builders' Association

  
  I've never joined a noontime toastmasters, a fact that I always regretted because of an innate shyness I've always had toward public speaking. As a public official however, I think I am asked to give so many speeches to local groups that I think I far [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 3:53pm EST
  

• The Greening of Our Community

  
  Headed over to the UTPA campus to participate in the a ceremony where TXU was donating a large number of Burr Oaks to the university and the cities of Edinburg and McAllen.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 12:00am EST
  

• Texas Teachers' Organization in Downtown

  
  
  As I walked around our city square today with our visiting city planners, I was invited in to one of our newest tenants in downtown Edinburg. Luis Tovar and Armando Gonzalez gave me a quick look into the offices of the American Federation of Teachers [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 3:54pm EST
  

• Edinburg Master Planners Inspect Downtown

  
  
  I got up early to join a group of master city planners that had arrived in the city of Edinburg to view the city center. Our intention is to come up with a master city plan to improve the conditions in our city center. We [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 2:51pm EST
  

• Launch Date For The Texas Tribune

  [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 12:00am EST
  

• The Edinburg Housing Authority Celebrating 60th Anniversary

  
  The Edinburg Housing Authority will be celebrating its founding 60 years ago with a slew of events starting Tuesday, Nov. 3 as part of its 60th anniversary celebration.
  
  Mrs. Estella L. Treviño, executive director for the agency for the past 37 years, said she is [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 10:35pm EST
  

• Sullivan City Receives $500,000.00 for Flooding and Drainage Improvements

  
  I am pleased to announce that Sullivan City is expected to receive $500,000.00 for flooding and drainage improvements. The Texas Department of Rural Affairs has recommended that the city receive the grant from the 2008 Supplemental Disaster Recovery Fund. The funding was issued as a result [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 5:03pm EST
  

• "I'm on a (Mexican) Whoa-oh Radio"

  
  
  I am scheduled to be on KURV - Talk Radio (in the Valley) tomorrow morning to talk about the importance of getting a good census count. Catch me if you can.
  
  Sing it! "I'm on a Mexican Whoa-oh Radio"' [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 4:38pm EST
  

• Politicians and Costume Parties

  
  
  In 1979, then United States Senator from Texas, John Tower, appeared at the annual Dallas media party in a full Superman costume. The powerful senator from Texas was never was able to live down his costume selection for the event when he was captured in [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 4:53pm EDT
  

• Have A Safe Halloween

  [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 6:04am EDT
  

• Halloween

  [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 12:00am EDT
  

• Three-quarters of Children in McAllen-Edinburg Not Covered by Private Health Insurance

  More than three-quarters of the children in McAllen-Edinburg -- 77.0 percent -- are not covered by private health insurance according to recently released data from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The survey generates statistics during the years between the bureau's decennial head counts.
  
  Sadly, another border city was [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 6:49pm EDT
  

• Closing Out Red Ribbon Week With Strong Message

  
  
  I started nine years ago preaching the message against drugs in our schools. Red Ribbon Week and the life story of Kiki Camarena are an important time to do our best at inoculating our children on the cancer of drugs in our community. [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 3:47pm EDT
  

• The Health Care Reform Bill For Your Review

  
  I know that I have a number of policy wonks and extremely studious citizens that follow this site that may take a shot at reading the Health Care Reform Bill.
  
  Be warned it is 1,990 pages long. Here it is in full. [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 10:30am EDT
  

• VIDA Announcement

  
  VIDA or the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is a nonprofit agency that funds college educations for low-income students. I joined them on Wednesday, on the announcement that they received a $700,000 grant from the State of Texas.
  
  The grant which resulted [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 9:00am EDT
  

• We Should Give Thanks For Our Blessings

  
  
  According to a report issued Wednesday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ninety-nine of the nation’s 100 biggest markets experienced declines. The sole exception was the McAllen-Edinburg area, which added 3,100 jobs in the past 12 months.
  
  As I explained to [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 2:28pm EDT
  

• The 2009 RGV Employment & Disability Symposium

  
  Diana Gonzalez of the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, welcomed me to the 2009 Rio Grande Valley Employment & Disability Symposium that is being held in McAllen today. The event's goal is to educate, provide valuable information, and to develop partnerships through networking in [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 1:00pm EDT
  

• "I Am Running For Re-Election"

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 11:13am EDT
  

• Tommorrow's Event

  
  My younger brother, Mark Peña and longtime supporter and community leader, Byron Lewis, are planning an event for me at their law and real estate office on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 in my hometown of Edinburg. They have asked me to get the word [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 11:00am EDT
  

• President Obama Signs Emergency Declaration for H1N1 Flu

  In keeping with the administration’s proactive approach to H1N1 Flu, President Obama last night signed a proclamation declaring 2009-H1N1 Influenza a national emergency. The proclamation enhances the ability of our Nation’s medical treatment facilities to handle a surge in H1N1 patients by allowing, as needed, the waiver of certain standard [...]
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  Posted: October 24, 2009, 1:18pm EDT
  

• President Clinton Speaks to South Texas

  
  
  I attended the speech of former President Bill Clinton at the University of Texas - Pan American last night and the fundraiser event for his foundation at developer, Alonzo Cantu's house.
  
  The President did make several statements of note but one stuck out.' [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 5:21pm EDT
  

• Word From the District

  
  
  While up in Austin I received the word from the district that my brother, Mark Peña, may have received an appointment to the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation. If true, let me extend my congratulations to my "younger" (not little) brother.
  
  On a related [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 7:53am EDT
  

• Voting Begins Today on Constitutional Amendments

  
  
  Early voting begins today on 11 proposed constitutional amendments. The last day of voting is on Nov. 3. Each of these proposals passed out of the Legislature with a two-thirds vote and have to have voter approval to be added to the state constitution. [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 9:38am EDT
  

• Nights in White Satin

  
  
  I gathered this morning with all my neighborhood friends from the 60's and early 70's. It was a sad gathering. All had traveled from their place in Texas to our hometown of Edinburg to serve as pallbearers at the funeral of a mother to a childhood friend.' [...]
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  Posted: October 17, 2009, 5:22pm EDT
  

• Happy 74th Birthday Dad!

  
  
  Lionel Aron Pena, Sr. turns 74 years old today. That's him off in the corner enjoying a recent U.T. Longhorns game.
  
  The family knows he loves the Texas Longhorns and there are so many of us we understand the Cotton Bowl or the' [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 3:15pm EDT
  

• Pleased to Announce $6.4 Million Awarded to City of Elsa

  
  I recently visited Austin to request federal stimulus dollars for key wastewater service projects. Today, we were happy to learn that our efforts were successful. The Texas Water Development Board announced for Elsa.
  
  I am shown here with City of Elsa officials: Oscar Garcia, [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 2:49pm EDT
  

• Teddy Roosvelt: "it takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose."

  
  
  On October 14, 1912, while Theodore Roosevelt was campaigning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a saloon keeper named John Schrank shot him, but the bullet lodged in his chest only after penetrating both his steel eyeglass case and passing through a thick (50 pages) single-folded copy [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 9:00am EDT
  

• Nelsen named sole finalist for UTPA presidency

  Dr. Robert S. Nelsen has been named the sole finalist for the presidency of The University of Texas-Pan American after a unanimous vote by The University of Texas System Board of Regents in Austin Monday, Oct. 12. [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 6:18pm EDT
  

• Christopher Columbus Day

  
  Today in many countries is Columbus Day, celebrating the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492. The day is also celebrated as Día de la Raza in some Latin countries or "Native American Day" in parts of' [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 11:02pm EDT
  

• Bill White's Salute to America's Heroes

  
  
  [...]
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  Posted: October 11, 2009, 9:28pm EDT
  

• Bill White's Salute to America's Heroes Tonught

  
  
  U.S. Senate candidate Bill White is in the larger Edinburg community today with at least two events. At 8:00 pm Mayor Bill White salutes America's heroes with a dance featuring Little Joe y La Familia and the Hometown Boyz. Tonight's event is the mayor's effort' [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 10:00am EDT
  

• A Kiss Will Dissolve the Silence

  
  
  At dawn, I will win. For now ... I shall sleep. Goodnight. [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 9:54pm EDT
  

• Rockets vs. Celtics in the RGV

  
  
  It was a great basketball game last night. All of South Texas turned out to a sold out game that the Rockets won. Had a great time with the Mayor of McAllen, Mexican dignitaries and local state representatives. This is probably the beginning of [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 11:40am EDT
  

• Texas Elected Officials on Twitter

  The Secular Conservative compiled this list of Texas elected officials on Twitter. A larger national list can be found on his site. After looking at this list it appears that Republicans in Texas dominate this medium at this point. If true, any thoughts as to why?
  
  A few [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 10:14am EDT
  

• HESTEC - The Community Gets Involved

  
  I received a warm welcome at "community day" during the HESTEC event.
  
  
  At the event I joined the UTPA's Social Work Student Association (SWSA)at their "Balloon Pop". Profit from the event support Thanksgiving baskets for colonia families in [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 2:12pm EDT
  

• Get Out and Register to Vote

  
  During lunch I picked up my daughter, Alyssa, who turned eighteen yesterday so that she could vote in the upcoming election in November. Today is the last day to register for the November election. As long as you register today in your local election's office [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 2:45pm EDT
  

• Today is the Last Day to Register to Vote

  
  Today is the last day of voter registration for the Nov. 3 elections. The state of Texas has 11 amendments to the state constitution and local propositions to be decided.
  
  Please submit your registration to county elections offices today or postmarked by midnight. Applications [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 9:19am EDT
  

• Edinburg's 2009 Man & Woman of the Year Award

  
  I am so very pleased that Estella Trevino and former St. Rep. Cullen Looney were selected as the 2009 Man and Woman of the Year for the city of Edinburg. It could not have gone to two more deserving individuals from our community. [...]
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  Posted: October 04, 2009, 10:23am EDT
  

• Happy 18th Birthday Sweetheart

  
  A Happy Birthday to my reporter/production manager daughter Alyssa Victoria Peña on her 18th birthday. [...]
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  Posted: October 04, 2009, 10:05am EDT
  

• Sending-Off Our Local Troops to Iraq

  
  I joined local and military dignitaries in Weslaco this morning at Bobby Lacky Stadium as we sent off as many as 550 National Guardsmen from South Texas to Iraq.
  
  
  
  [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2009, 3:20pm EDT
  

• Happy Birthday Son

  
  A Happy 25th Birthday to John Austin Peña. [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2009, 2:30pm EDT
  

• Dalinda Guillen and Rep. Ryan Guillen Expecting a Baby

  
  Congratulations to Dalinda Guillen and Rep. Ryan Guillen on the news that they are expecting a child. Quite frankly, we didn't know you you had it in you "little buddy". My best to the sweet mother. Your lives will never be the same.' [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2009, 2:14pm EDT
  

• Old Valley - New Valley

  
  
  “The Old Valley/New Valley: Analyzing the Past, Present, and Future of the Lower Rio Grande Valley” symposium sponsored by South Texas College and the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Mexican American Studies is scheduled for November 4-7, 2009, at the South Texas College [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 3:07pm EDT
  

• Cousin Makes Us Proud

  
  I just got the news that my dear cousin, Moises "Moe" Vela, Jr., a native of Brownsville, was named one of the Top 100 Influential Hispanics in the nation by Hispanic Business magazine.
  
  The profile describes Moe as returning, [...]
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  Posted: October 01, 2009, 11:59am EDT
  

• Baby Brother Throwing A Fundraiser

  
  My baby brother, Mark Peña and longtime supporter and community leader, Byron Lewis, are planning an event for me at their law and real estate office on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 in my hometown of Edinburg. They have asked me to get the word [...]
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  Posted: September 27, 2009, 4:37pm EDT
  

• Redistricting: the Monumental Struggle

  
  
  This Wednesday the Redistricting Committee of the Texas House of Representatives meets for the first time thus commencing the monumental decennial struggle that decides the balance of power in Texas.
  
  My first introductory session to the legislature was the explosive [...]
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  Posted: September 25, 2009, 8:05am EDT
  

• Sen. Lucio's State of the District Address

  
  State Sen. Eddie Lucio gave his State of the District address at TSTC yesterday. Since part of my district is in his senatorial district I thought it would be informative to get the senator's view of where we have been and where we are going. The' [...]
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  Posted: September 24, 2009, 10:14am EDT
  

• Texas

  
  
  [...]
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  Posted: September 19, 2009, 10:25pm EDT
  

• U.T. Longhorns vs. Texas Tech

  
  
  Five things to watch against Texas Tech from the Burnt Orange Nation. [...]
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  Posted: September 19, 2009, 1:13pm EDT
  

• You Lie!

  [...]
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  Posted: September 18, 2009, 2:51pm EDT
  

• Redistricting Is On The Radar

  
  
  Conservative advocates at Empower Texans feel that the real action in 2010 might not be the gubernatorial race, but control of the Texas House. At stake is who draws the maps after the 2010 census, when Texas is expected to pick-up 3 or more congressional seats. Here [...]
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  Posted: September 18, 2009, 12:47pm EDT
  

• Laredos RioFest - Oct. 16-17

  
  Laredos Rio Fest is attracting a lot of attention as they prepare for their international canoe and kayak race scheduled for October 16-17. The national offices of CBS News and National Public Radio have already shown an interest in a kayak race on the river, [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2009, 12:40pm EDT
  

• Kino Flores Not Seeking Re-Election

  The Rio Grande Guardian broke the story today that Rep. Kino Flores was preparing to announce that he was not seeking re-election. In a public statement later released he confirmed what many were suspecting, that the 13 year legislative veteran from Hidalgo County was retiring [...]
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  Posted: September 15, 2009, 6:21pm EDT
  

• Edinburg Turns Out For Bill White

  
  
  
  
  [...]
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  Posted: September 14, 2009, 2:10pm EDT
  

• Bill White In Edinburg On Monday

  
  
  Bill White, the Mayor of Houston and candidate for the United States Senate will be in Edinburg tomorrow for a meet and greet event. The event will take place at 12 noon at Trevino's Restaurant on the north side of Edinburg. There is no cost for attendance' [...]
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  Posted: September 13, 2009, 6:47pm EDT
  

• Today is National Grandparents Day

  
  
  My calendar tells me that it is National Grandparents Day today. Pretty cool when your a grandparent. I am a grandparent so I'm looking foward to all the love and affection that should come my way from the grand kids. What a holiday! It's [...]
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  Posted: September 13, 2009, 12:01am EDT
  

• An Edcouch-Elsa Ribbon Cutting At Our New Office

  
  
  The deed is done. Our beautiful legislative office in the newly constructed Mercado Delta in Edcouch, Texas is officially open. Three short hours ago in conjunction with the Edcouch mayor and city council we cut the ribbon to officially dedicate our Delta Area legislative office. [...]
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  Posted: September 12, 2009, 4:40pm EDT
  

• Ribbon Cutting At Delta Area Office This Saturday

  
  
  Tomorrow is the big day. Our newest legislative office located in Edcouch-Elsa's Mercado Delta has it's grand opening and ribbon cutting.
  
  The beautiful Mercado Delta is a unique, multi-purpose, outdoor, open-air public and farmers market where entrepreneurs, farmers, artisans, and craftsman can sell their goods, arts [...]
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  Posted: September 11, 2009, 2:02pm EDT
  

• Mexican Independence Day's 199th Anniversary

  
  
  In the early hours of September 16th, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest in the small town of Dolores, Guanajuato, rang the church bell to gather the townspeople. He called for the people of Mexico to rise up against the Spanish Crown, thus initiating Mexico's War of [...]
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  Posted: September 11, 2009, 12:01pm EDT
  

• September 11

  
  On Sept. 11, 2001, al Qaida terrorists crashed two hijacked airliners into the World Trade Center in New York, causing the 110-story twin towers to collapse. Another hijacked airliner hit the Pentagon and a fourth crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pa. Some 3,000 people were [...]
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  Posted: September 11, 2009, 7:56am EDT
  

• STARS Scholarship Fundraiser a Success

  
  The country music star duo Sugarland entertained the audience who attended the fundraiser for the South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (STARS) program.
  
  The Speaker of the the Texas House Joe Straus was present and addressed the early event crowd. Our thanks again to Speaker Straus [...]
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  Posted: September 10, 2009, 11:34pm EDT
  

• Bill Summers International Blvd. Dedication

  
  The San Antonio Express carries the story.
  
  
  
  
  
  [...]
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  Posted: September 09, 2009, 4:06pm EDT
  

• The Valley Pays Tribute To Bill Summers

  
  Will be at dedication of the Bill Summers International Blvd. in Weslaco, Texas - Wed. at 3:30 p.m. on the corner of Exp.83 and FM 1015.
  
  The naming of this highway is of course to show our respect and appreciation for a great citizen and [...]
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  Posted: September 09, 2009, 11:13pm EDT
  

• Valley Girl Highlighted By The President

  Rio Grande Valley native Jazmin Perez will be highlighted in today's speech to students by President Barack Obama.
  
  Obama will devote a portion of his speech to praising the determination of Jazmin Perez citing her as an example of a student who refused to' [...]
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  Posted: September 08, 2009, 9:07am EDT
  

• Speaker Straus Special Guest At STARS Scholarship Event

  
  
  The country music star duo Sugarland will be in the Valley Wednesday, Sept. 9 to raise money for the South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (STARS), a local scholarship program.
  
  The concert will feature country music artist Billy Currington and singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson. Also [...]
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  Posted: September 07, 2009, 11:13am EDT
  

• A Birthday Celebration

  
  
  My niece had a traditional South Texas birthday party. Once again, the pinata was on the losing end of the celebration. [...]
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  Posted: September 06, 2009, 8:22pm EDT
  

• Enjoy Your Labor Day Weekend

  
  
  "Outside a person's love, the most sacred thing they can give is their labor." So said a wise man. Now with the end of this business day, it is time to lay down the work for an extended weekend of faith, family and friends. [...]
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  Posted: September 04, 2009, 5:01pm EDT
  

• The Future Started Yesterday

  
  
  My little girl sent this to me. What a great anthem as we move forward with our lives. Enjoy your weekend! [...]
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  Posted: September 04, 2009, 8:28am EDT
  

• Hidalgo County's Next County Judge

  I received a call today from former Hidalgo County
  Judge Ramon Garcia who is running for the office once again. He asked me if I would be the master of ceremonies for an event he was having tonight in his campaign for the county judge seat. [...]
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  Posted: September 02, 2009, 10:28pm EDT
  

• A Valley Medical School

  
  
  
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  Posted: September 01, 2009, 5:49pm EDT
  

• Today's Medical School Bill Signing With The Governor

  
  I am heading over to the Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen for the Governor's ceremonial bill signing for the legislation creating the Medical School in the Valley. This was a bill that I had the honor serving as one of the house sponsors to Senator [...]
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  Posted: September 01, 2009, 12:56pm EDT
  

• Hispanic Heritage Month

  
  
  On Sept. 1, 1939, World War II began as Nazi Germany invaded Poland. When the call to serve came, Felix Rodriguez, Sr. of Elsa, Texas answered that call. Like many others from this country, Americans of Hispanic decent have been dutiful in their service [...]
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  Posted: September 01, 2009, 6:34am EDT