[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E392-E393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING MARY RHODES, MAYOR OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 1997

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated public 
servant, Mayor Mary Rhodes, who is retiring in April after 6 years of 
distinguished service as the mayor of Corpus Christi, TX. On April 4, 
1997, the day before the election to succeed her, Special Olympics, 
Inc. will host a benefit honoring the mayor. I want to join them in 
commending Mayor Rhodes' service to our community.
  Mayor Rhodes came to the mayor's office knowledgeable of the Corpus 
Christi municipal government. Prior to her service as mayor, she served 
for 4 years as a member of the Corpus Christi City Council. Mayor 
Rhodes' other official activities include serving as chair for the 
Metropolitan Planning Organization and as a board member of the Texas 
Municipal League.
  She has also participated in various civic organizations such as the 
United Way, the League of Women Voters, and the City Council of Parent/
Teacher Associations.
  Mayor Rhodes has done much to help the children of Corpus Christi 
through programs to enhance their health and education. Like me, she 
speaks to schools as often as possible. We both support DARE, an 
antidrug program, and Operation Supply Our Students, a program aimed at 
providing school supplies to low-income school districts.
  Perhaps one of Mayor Rhodes' greatest legacies is her progress in 
finding solutions to the long-term water needs of the area. The 1996 
drought made many Texas communities realize how very valuable water is 
to our economic fortunes and personal well-being.

[[Page E393]]

  She and I worked together on a bill last year that set in motion a 
plan for Corpus Christi and Nueces County to get the water our 
community needs. Corpus Christi is in a better position today to secure 
water for our population and economy as a result of her service, and I 
am proud to have worked with her as mayor.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Mayor Mary Rhodes for 
her service and in wishing her well in her future endeavors.

                          ____________________