[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 111 (Monday, July 11, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H4601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MARCELINO SERNA PORT OF ENTRY

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 5252) to designate the United States Customs 
and Border Protection Port of Entry located at 1400 Lower Island Road 
in Tornillo, Texas, as the ``Marcelino Serna Port of Entry.''
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5252

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. MARCELINO SERNA PORT OF ENTRY.

       (a) Designation.--The United States Customs and Border 
     Protection Port of Entry located at 1400 Lower Island Road in 
     Tornillo, Texas, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Marcelino Serna Port of Entry''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     port of entry referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed 
     to be a reference to the ``Marcelino Serna Port of Entry''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5252, 
currently under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5252, to designate the 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port of Entry located at 1400 Lower 
Island Road in Tornillo, Texas, as the Marcelino Serna Port of Entry.
  Private Serna was a brave veteran who selflessly honored his country. 
He demonstrated courage, bravery, and heroism in battle, risking his 
life to save his fellow soldiers, and became the most decorated World 
War I veteran from the State of Texas.
  I am honored to stand here today, as a veteran and a fellow Texan, to 
pay tribute to this brave American. I congratulate my colleague, Mr. 
Hurd of Texas, for his leadership in introducing this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1600

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5252.
  Private Marcelino Serna was an undocumented Mexican immigrant who 
became the most decorated soldier from Texas in World War I, and the 
first Hispanic to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the 
highest military decoration of the United States Army after the Medal 
of Honor. By designating this port in his name, his exemplary service 
to our country is fully recognized.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to 
support this bill to honor this great American.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our nation was founded by and built 
upon the blood, sweat, and tears of immigrants.
  Today, I want to honor one particular immigrant, U.S. Army Private 
Marcelino Serna, the most decorated World War I Veteran from Texas.
  The heroic story of Private Serna, an immigrant from Mexico, began 
when he volunteered for the U.S. Army during World War I.
  After a brief training, Serna was sent overseas to join the Allied 
Powers in Europe. Upon arrival, it came to light that he was not a U.S. 
citizen. Serna had the option of withdrawing from the fight. Instead, 
he decided to stay and fight together with his fellow soldiers.
  During his time abroad, Serna's dedication and bravery stood out with 
acts worthy of a Medal of Honor. While he did not receive the Medal of 
Honor during his lifetime, he is currently being reviewed to receive it 
now.
  During the war, Serna was injured in a confrontation that left twelve 
of his companions dead. He continued to fight, chasing those who had 
attacked them, managing to capture eight German soldiers.
  In another confrontation, Serna managed to capture twenty-four enemy 
soldiers alone. Upon discovering a sniper's position, Serna shot and 
wounded him. As the soldier fled to his base, Serna decided to follow 
him. After discovering the base, Serna attacked, killed 26 enemy 
soldiers, and forced another 24 to surrender.
  Without a doubt, these two examples of heroism demonstrated his 
dedication and commitment to the fight, but there is more to Serna's 
story.
  As he led the prisoners back to the Allied base, some of his fellow 
soldiers suggested that they should be executed. Serna refused to allow 
this. Alongside his courage, he possessed a remarkable sense of honor.
  For his extraordinary acts of valor, Serna was awarded two Purple 
Hearts and the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military 
honor after the Medal of Honor.
  This bill serves to commend his bravery by renaming the Tornillo Port 
of Entry in honor of Pvt. Marcelino Serna, who lived in the area and is 
buried with full military honors at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El 
Paso.
  The Tornillo-Marcelino Serna Port of Entry will not only honor this 
extraordinary man's service to our nation, it will serve as a reminder 
of the countless Mexican-American immigrants who have fought valiantly 
to keep our nation safe.
  Their contributions and sacrifices will not be ignored or forgotten.
  I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5252.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________