[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MR. JUAN LINO RAMIREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VICENTE GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 15, 2020

  Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish Mr. Juan 
Lino Ramirez, a beloved public servant and successful businessman from 
South Texas, a very special 85th birthday.
  Mr. Ramirez was born on January 20, 1935, and dedicated his life to 
serving others while successfully creating multiple businesses. Juan 
Lino's contributions to Jim Hogg County and South Texas have been 
significant, and I am honored to be able to stand here today and share 
those achievements with my colleagues and the citizens of the United 
States of America.
  Juan Lino started his career like many other Americans, with a small 
business. When Juan Lino was in his mid-twenties, he opened up his 
first business, a small car repair shop called T&R Auto Repair Shop. He 
ran and worked at the shop until he was able to move onto more 
lucrative business opportunities. In 1967, Juan Lino decided to obtain 
a Used Car Business Dealer License, which he later used to become one 
of the best salesmen in South Texas, winning the ``Dealer of the 
Month'' award from the San Antonio Auto Auction. Juan Lino acknowledged 
his business acumen but humbly decided to take a different career path 
and serve the people of South Texas.
  In his twenties, Juan Lino took an interest in Jim Hogg County's 
public education system and served on the Independent School District 
Board. There, he expanded educational opportunities for all students in 
the district, facilitated a vision for the future of the Jim Hogg 
Independent School District, and served as a role model to all that 
knew him in the community.
  After serving on the Jim Hogg County Independent School District 
Board, Juan Lino decided to serve his community in a new capacity by 
taking on the highest law enforcement post in Jim Hogg County: Sheriff. 
Juan Lino served as the Jim Hogg County Sheriff twice, first from 1970 
to 1973 and then again from 1976 to 1980. During his time as Sheriff, 
he hired the first female Sheriff Deputy in Jim Hogg County's history, 
Vila Martinez, acquired the first computer for the Sheriff's 
Department, and introduced standardized Sheriff Deputy uniforms. These 
accomplishments helped transform the Jim Hogg Sheriff's Department into 
the modem and professional unit it is today. Juan Lino also 
successfully created one-way streets in school zones to ensure the 
safety of students on their commutes to and from school as the Sheriff 
of Jim Hogg.
  Juan Lino continued to give back to Jim Hogg County in the 21st 
Century, serving as the County Commissioner for Precinct 4 for two 
terms. The first term was from 2002 to 2006, and the second term was 
from 2011 to 2015. During his time as County Commissioner for Precinct 
4, Juan Lino worked to better the lives of people on a daily basis 
through infrastructure, economic development, and housing projects. I 
cannot imagine Jim Hogg County without Mr. Ramirez. He helped shepherd 
the Sheriff's Department into a new era, expanded women's 
opportunities, enhanced student safety, successfully grew his 
businesses, and accomplished many more milestones.
  Madam Speaker, on January 20, 2020, Mr. Juan Lino Ramirez turns 85. I 
stand here today to acknowledge the decades of service Mr. Ramirez has 
given to Jim Hogg County. Mr. Juan Lino Ramirez serves as a leader in 
our community, and I wish him a very happy birthday.

                          ____________________