[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 32 (Wednesday, March 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE RYAN GUILLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2005

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Representative 
Ryan Guillen for his commitment to building a better future for South 
Texas.
  Ryan Guillen is a native of Starr County, with deep roots in the 
Texas business community. Before entering public service, he worked as 
a commodities trader, a rancher, a teacher, and an independent small 
businessman. This experience helped to shape his priorities: in the 
legislature, he acted to help teachers, firefighters and policemen with 
low interest loans, authored a bill to lower taxes for the disabled and 
elderly, and passed legislation to reform government in his county.
  Representative Guillen was elected to the Texas House in November, 
2002, and quickly distinguished himself. He was named Freshman 
Legislator of the Year by the Freshman Democratic Caucus of the Texas 
House of Representatives, and passed more bills than any other member 
of the first-term Democratic class. He is the only Democrat appointed 
to the Legislative Council Board, a powerful committee which oversees 
the internal operations of the Texas Legislature.
  He has been especially committed to the issue of education. He fought 
to restore cuts to teacher insurance, authored a bill to increase 
school district funding in Texas by $1.2 billion dollars, and worked to 
protect the rights of all Texas children to an equal, high quality 
education.
  Mr. Speaker, Representative Guillen has distinguished himself as a 
passionate and effective legislator, and he has a bright future ahead 
of him. I am proud to have the chance to recognize his work.

                          ____________________