Recognizing Laredo Mayor Pedro Ignacio Saenz, Jr.

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Mayor Pedro Ignacio Saenz, Jr.

After serving the maximum two terms as mayor of my hometown of Laredo, Texas, Mayor Saenz will step down at the end of this year. I would like to congratulate him on his many accomplishments in office and wish him the very best in the next chapter of his life.

A third generation Laredoan, Mayor Saenz is a pillar of our community. He raised his family in Laredo. He built a highly successful law practice there and specialized in oil and gas for 30 years. Mayor Saenz was president of both the South Texas Food Bank and the Laredo Affordable Housing Corporation--and he served for 12 years on the board of Laredo College, including as Board President, where he was instrumental in establishing the South Campus.

As mayor, he was a tireless advocate for the City of Laredo. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Saenz shepherded the city through a public health emergency. He helped the city manage difficult cross-border politics and challenging water issues. He helped lay the groundwork for closer binational cooperation with Nuevo Laredo and for substantial new investments in infrastructure.

Being a mayor is a 24/7 job. After serving two full terms, Mayor Saenz has earned the right to step away and spend more time with his family, including his wife Minerva, his 3 children, and his 5 grandchildren. I congratulate him on his work over the past 8 years, and I look forward to seeing what the next chapter of his life holds.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source