November 13, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1647 participated in the India Day Parade in New Customs Service and then with U.S. Customs Manufacturing has long been a central part York City, New York for five years. BSOU con- and Border Protection. As Port Director, Mr. of the American economy. Right now, there tinues its mission to honor and celebrate the Garza oversaw the largest inland port in the are more than 11 million Americans employed Brahmin history and culture. U.S., managing more than 800 employees, in high-paying manufacturing jobs. And in Mr. Speaker, once again, please join me in four international bridges, one airport and a 2010, manufacturing accounted for 60 percent congratulating Brahmin Samaj of USA as it railroad bridge, with an annual budget of $12 of all U.S. exports and contributed $1.7 trillion celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Its commit- million dollars and with employees in Laredo, to our GDP. ment to promoting the Brahmin culture and Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Roma, Hidalgo/Pharr These figures are impressive and lend sup- serving the Indian community is truly deserv- and Brownsville/Los Indios. port for the importance of maintaining a vi- ing of this body’s recognition. Mr. Garza started his federal career in 1971 brant manufacturing sector. Unfortunately, the f with the U.S. Air Force as a Military Police- dominance of the United States in manufac- man, at which time he was introduced to the turing has been steadily challenged. The U.S. HAZLETON LIONS CLUB U.S. Customs Service, Customs Narcotics De- share of global manufacturing value added de- tector Dog Training Center at Lackland Air clined from one-third in the early 1980s to just HON. LOU BARLETTA Base in , . In 1976, Mr. one-fifth today. At the same time, manufac- OF PENNSYLVANIA Garza began his civilian career as a Canine turing activity has rapidly increased in emerg- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Enforcement Officer with the then U.S. Cus- ing economies such as China and Korea. Wednesday, November 13, 2013 toms Service at the Port of Laredo. Today, the Even more troubling, is the fact that coun- tries such as Korea, Japan, and Germany Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor CBP Canine Program is the largest and most diverse law enforcement canine program in have a more R&D-intensive manufacturing the Hazleton Lions Club which is celebrating sector than the United States. Additionally, its 90th anniversary this year. the country. Mr. Garza has held numerous supervisory each of these countries has a positive trade Since 1917, Lions Clubs have offered peo- balance in advanced manufacturing products ple the opportunity to give something back to positions at the district and headquarters level since his initial appointment, serving an as- unlike the $81 billion dollar trade deficit ob- their communities. On October 23, 1923, the served in the United States in 2010. Hazleton Lions Club was formed by its Charter signment in the Port of Eagle Pass, Canine Enforcement Branch Chief and Chief in La- The truth is that the perception of manufac- President Roy D. Snyder, making it the 20th turing as low-skilled, assembly line work is redo and Acting National Canine Program Di- oldest Lions Club in Pennsylvania. Since its outdated and no longer applies. The future of rector, prior to being selected as the Port Di- founding, the Hazleton Lions Club has been manufacturing is advanced manufacturing, a rector in Laredo. Under his leadership, the extremely active within the community, com- high-tech endeavor that uses sensors, robot- Port of Laredo has earned a number of Com- pleting numerous projects and making dona- ics, and cutting-edge modeling and simulation. missioner Unit Citations for outstanding per- tions in support of many other organizations. If we do nothing and settle for the status quo, formance by the Laredo passenger, trade and These volunteer service projects include the our position will almost certainly decline further outbound, and enforcement teams. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Project, Red and our economy will continue to struggle. Cross Disaster Response Team, Nescopeck During the course of his career, Mr. Garza Thankfully, the Administration has renewed State Park Project, Can-Do Board of Directors, has been widely recognized as an expert in its commitment to American manufacturing Greater Hazleton Area Fun Fest and the international border security management and is focused on ensuring that the United American Cancer Society. Recipients of the issues and border trade and recognized by States is the global leader in advanced manu- club’s donations range from national organiza- CBP, the trade industry and the Vice Presi- facturing. The President has put forward a tions such as the United Rehabilitation Serv- dent of the United States for his expertise. number of initiatives, including the creation of ices and Catholic Social Services, to local Under Mr. Garza’s leadership, the Port of La- the National Network for Manufacturing Inno- groups such as Hazleton Little League and the redo has undergone significant facilities en- vation. The purpose of the National Network Hazleton Integration Project. The members of hancements, including lane expansions at the for Manufacturing Innovation is to establish up this club continue to find ways to give back Lincoln-Juarez Bridge and the World Trade to 15 public-private manufacturing institutes and improve their community. Bridge. These projects significantly facilitated across the country. These institutes will serve Mr. Speaker, for 90 years the Hazleton processing of passenger and commercial traf- as centers of manufacturing excellence and Lions Club has been a vital asset to the city fic and a boost to economic benefits. will accelerate manufacturing and help transi- of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Therefore, I com- In 2007, Mr. Garza was recognized by tion cutting-edge technologies from the lab to mend all those who have served to improve Texas A&M International University and the the factory floor. their community as part of this important orga- Smithsonian Institute as a Distinguished Alum- The Administration has also called for a nization. nus in the Smithsonian Institution’s Portraits of number of tax reforms that will provide incen- Latino Achievement. In 2011, Mr. Garza was f tives to companies that bring jobs back to the recognized as a 2010 Tejano Achiever by U.S. These include making the R and D tax RECOGNIZING MR. EUGENIO LULAC Council 12. In that same year, Mr. credit permanent, reducing tax rates for manu- ‘‘GENE’’ GARZA JR. Garza was selected to the Senior Executive facturers, and doubling the tax deduction for Service in Laredo. Mr. Garza is an active par- high-tech manufacturers. HON. HENRY CUELLAR ticipant in numerous civic organizations and The President’s commitment to advanced OF TEXAS community activist. manufacturing appears to be paying off. We IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, I am honored and privileged to are adding manufacturing jobs for the first time have the opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. since the 1990s. These jobs will have a down- Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Garza for his outstanding service in protecting stream impact on our economy since it’s been Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to our communities and his extraordinary com- shown that for every manufacturing job we recognize Mr. Eugenio ‘‘Gene’’ Garza Jr. for mitment to our country. He has truly contrib- create, we add five additional jobs along the his retirement from his position as the Director uted to this nation in his efforts to protect our supply chain. And for every dollar in manufac- of Field Operations with the U.S. Customs and borders. turing value added, we create $1.40 in new Border Protection (CBP) in Laredo, Texas. Mr. f value in other sectors of the economy. Garza has dedicated his service in protecting We need to continue to move forward with our nation’s borders and its communities. THE NEED TO REVITALIZE policies and programs that will expand and As Director for Field Operations for the La- AMERICAN MANUFACTURING support the development of advanced manu- redo Field Office since January 2011, Mr. facturing. I have worked on two such efforts. Garza has lead the agency, providing over- HON. First, my bill, H.R. 1421, the AIM Act makes sight and guidance to the operation of eight OF TEXAS strategic investments in advanced manufac- ports of entry extending from Brownsville to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES turing research, development, and education. Del Rio, including 23 crossings, 6 airports, and It brings the public and private sectors to- one seaport and overseeing more than 2,600 Wednesday, November 13, 2013 gether to tackle the research needs of indus- employees and imports exceeding $134 billion Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. try. It provides small and medium-sized manu- annually processed through . Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support facturers with innovation vouchers that will Previously, Mr. Garza was the Port Director of the efforts to revitalize American Manufac- allow them to make their companies and prod- of the Laredo Port of Entry, first with the U.S. turing. ucts more competitive. And finally, H.R. 1421

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