[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 178 (Friday, December 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF MR. PACO VALENTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of Mr. 
Paco Valentin after 37 years of dedicated service to the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
  Mr. Valentin was born on November 14, 1951 in Brownsville, Texas. 
After graduating from St. Joseph Academy high school in Brownsville, he 
went to Texas State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science 
in Agriculture. Mr. Valentin began his career with the USDA in 1979. 
Throughout his tenure, he served in numerous leadership roles including 
USDA Rural Development Housing Loan Specialist, Assistant County 
Supervisor, and eventually County Supervisor for the USDA Farmers Home 
Administration.
  In 2009, the Obama Administration appointed Mr. Valentin to be the 
Texas State Director of Rural Development for the USDA. During his 
tenure as State Director, Rural Development has provided nearly $12 
billion in rural investments throughout Texas for housing, rural 
utilities, community facilities, and rural business and cooperative 
development. He also dedicated his time to the promotion, retention, 
and recruitment of minorities and women, as well as establishing a 
diverse senior management workforce in an effort to create jobs and 
spur economic growth in rural communities with limited resources and 
incomes below the poverty line.
  Mr. Valentin dedicated his professional career to working for 
agricultural and rural interests. His passion and devotion for helping 
others serves as a model for all of us. Among his numerous awards, he 
has been recognized with the Habitat Texas 2014 Statewide Community 
Partner of the Year Award, 2013 Statewide Rural Leadership Award by the 
Coordinating and Development Corporation of the Ark-La-Tex region, the 
recipient of the Urban Counties Leadership Award in 2010, and awarded 
the USDA Rural Development Distinguished Service Award.
  Upon retiring, Mr. Valentin plans to spend his time in the company of 
his wife, Angie, and their two daughters, Jordan and Taylor.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have shared with you the legacy of Mr. 
Paco Valentin, who has had the support and confidence of the Texas 
Delegation and was honored with the privilege of serving as a 
presidential appointee under the Obama administration.