[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JUDGE DANNY VALDEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2005

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the important 
contribution of Judge Danny Valdez of Laredo, TX.
  In May 1982, Danny Valdez was elected as Justice of the Peace, and is 
currently serving his sixth four-year term.
  Judge Valdez has also received numerous awards. Some include: the 
2000 Martin High School Tiger Legend, the Liberty Bell Award from the 
Laredo Bar Association, and the Community Service Award from Lulac 
Council #12.
  Aside from presiding over one of the state's busiest courts, he makes 
time for many community activities. He has worked with at-risk students 
for the past 23 years, addressing issues such as truancy, gang 
violence, drug abuse, teen pregnancy and juvenile delinquency. He has 
been working with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Education 
Program to bring male and female inmates to our local middle and high 
schools to tell their life stories in an effort to educate, warn, and 
inform students about the dangers and consequences involved in making 
the wrong choices.
  Judge Valdez has worked with the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust in the 
development of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Boy Scout Camp Huisahche and was 
also instrumental in the development of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Inner 
City Recreation Center.
  Judge Valdez chairs the Annual Toys for Tejanitos Drive and the Angel 
Wish Program that benefits needy families in our community. He also 
chairs the Annual Fishing Derby for physically challenged students. 
This event has received Texas state wide recognition. He has also 
awarded over $60,000.00 in scholarships to deserving students from 
L.I.S.D. in Laredo, TX.
  Judge Valdez is married to Isabel Valdez and has a son, Danny, Jr. 
and daughter, Maribel.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have had this opportunity to recognize the 
contributions of Judge Danny Valdez.

                          ____________________