[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 11, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H15243-H15244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROBSTOWN, TEXAS

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 785) recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Robstown, 
Texas.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 785

       Whereas in 2007, the city of Robstown, Texas, celebrates 
     its centennial as the ``Biggest Little Town in Texas'';
       Whereas before Robstown became a city in Nueces County, 
     Robstown was a major thoroughfare north of the National 
     Mexican Railway, making it vital for trade and commerce 
     between Mexico and the United States;
       Whereas rancher and businessman Robert Driscoll conveyed 
     territories encircling the boundaries of Robstown, inspiring 
     Robstown's name;
       Whereas Robstown enters the 21st century as the crossroads 
     of international trade, being the location where the Texas 
     Mexican Railway connects the Port of Laredo with the Port of 
     Corpus Christi and Interstate 69 will intersect Texas State 
     Highway 44;
       Whereas Robstown is the home of a new fairgrounds and 
     entertainment venue; the future home of an inland port, which 
     will be the first such port in the United States; and the 
     future home of an Army storage facility;
       Whereas Robstown is one of the leading cotton producing 
     areas in the United States, at one time operating the most 
     cotton gins in the United States and later naming the mascot 
     of the Robstown high school the ``Cotton Picker'';

[[Page H15244]]

       Whereas, a steadfast community in Nueces County, the 
     residents of Robstown have included legendary National 
     Football League Hall of Famer Gene Upshaw; Federal Judge 
     Hilda Tagle; and numerous county, State, and Federally 
     elected officials;
       Whereas Robstown has scheduled ``Century of Celebration'' 
     festivities throughout 2007, beginning on January 1 and 
     including a formal celebration on June 1 and the Cottonfest 
     festival in October; and
       Whereas Robstown's contributions to the history of the 
     United States include being the site of the first game of 
     Texas Hold 'em poker: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the 
     100th anniversary of Robstown, Texas, and commends all of the 
     residents of Robstown and all other individuals who call 
     Robstown home.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in 
the consideration of H. Res. 785, which recognizes the 100th 
anniversary of Robstown, Texas.
  H. Res. 785, which was introduced by Representative Solomon P. Ortiz 
on October 30, 2007, was reported from the oversight committee on 
November 8, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by 
53 Members.
  Known as the ``Biggest Little Town in Texas,'' Robstown is known for 
its international trade, oil and involvement in the agriculture and 
cotton industries.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for the recognition of the 100th 
anniversary of this historic town, and I urge the swift passage of this 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri, and I 
join with him in urging the passage of this important commemorative 
piece of legislation recognizing, as the gentleman said, the ``Biggest 
Little Town in Texas,'' on its 100th anniversary.
  Certainly Robstown, Texas, located in north central Nueces County, 
which was established in 1906 by a real estate developer from Iowa, 
says a great deal about the development of Texas and of the Texas-
Mexican railroad connection from the Port of Laredo to the Port of 
Corpus Christi and along State Highway 44. The sustainability of the 
small town both before, during and after the Industrial Revolution, 
throughout a period of development in Texas, took it from a State that 
was rural in every sense to a State today that is both filled with 
high-tech and with world headquarters.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in urging quick support and 
ratification of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time to my friend from Texas 
(Mr. Ortiz) as he would like to consume.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, let me thank Chairman Clay and my good friend 
Mr. Issa for bringing this bill to the floor, and I want today to 
congratulate and honor the ``Biggest Little Town in Texas.''
  Robstown has been ``Celebrating a Century'' this year as the city 
turns 100 years old. This centennial celebration and resolution are 
especially important to me because Robstown, a city of about 14,000 
people, is my hometown.
  I was born and reared and raised there, attended the public schools 
there, and had my first job as a printer's devil with the local 
newspaper, the Robstown Record.
  Cotton and vegetable farming played an important role in the history 
and economy of Robstown, named after prominent local leader Robert 
Driscoll.
  Robstown is a town where citizens are deeply committed to public 
service. We've sent sons and daughters to shape the history of local, 
State and Federal offices. They have all served in our military. 
They've distinguished themselves in military services.
  We've had county commissioners, sheriffs, district attorneys, 
district judges, Federal judges, State representatives, and this proud 
Member of the Congress, who came out from this little town of 14,000 
people.
  Robstown also has a great athletic tradition. Gene Upshaw, of the 
National Football League and a great football star, came from this 
little town of Robstown.
  Humberto ``Lefty'' Barrera, bantamweight boxer on the historic 1960 
Olympic team who later earned an engineering degree at night school, 
also called Robstown ``my hometown.''
  Kathryn Grandstaff, from Robstown, she married Bing Crosby, who we 
all know.
  Our students also excel in the classroom, including the Robstown High 
School Cotton Pickers band, and they have achieved much in the fields 
of athletics and academics.
  All year long we have recognized the ``Century of Celebration,'' 
which included a formal celebration on June 1.
  One of the greatest traditions is the annual Cottonfest held in 
October. This year was the biggest ever event that we've had. We have 
live music, arts and crafts, a sports competition, cookoffs, contests, 
carnivals and historical exhibits that provide something for everyone 
in the community.
  We also have so much to look forward to as our town continues to 
grow. Robstown enters the 21st century at the crossroads of 
international trade due to its proximity to railroads, interstate 
highways, seaports and airports. It is the hub in that area.
  Robstown will serve as a hub by connecting major railway companies, 
the Texan-Mexican railway, Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific, with 
direct links to Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Houston, San Antonio and 
Laredo.
  Robstown is also home to the new county fairgrounds and an 
entertainment venue.
  My hometown is the future home of an inland port, which will be the 
first such port in the United States, and the future home of an Army 
storage facility.
  And no trip to Robstown would be complete without a good filling 
yourself up with south Texas' best barbecue at Joe Cotten's. Cotten's 
is an iconic restaurant where many of you have joined me for lunch in 
south Texas style. It is where Presidential candidates, athletes, 
business people, cowboys, riders, astronauts, generals, admirals and 
other celebrities and thousands of others, they even fly on their 
helicopters to eat at Joe Cotten's.
  Robstown is the best of our communities in south Texas, friendly, 
family-oriented and proud of their history.
  It was in Robstown where my mother taught me my most important 
lesson: to always serve the community that gave you so many 
opportunities growing up. To whom much is given, much is expected.
  Please join me in honoring Robstown on the city's 100th anniversary, 
and I join my friends Chairman Clay and Mr. Issa today for bringing 
this bill to the floor.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join with the 
pride of Robstown, Texas (Mr. Ortiz) and pass H. Res. 785.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 785.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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