[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 190 (Wednesday, December 7, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1229-E1230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING SAN ANTONIO'S RICHARD PEREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2022

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Mr. Richard 
Perez of San Antonio, Texas.
  After 15 years serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of 
the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Perez will step down from his 
position at the end of this month. Thanks to Mr. Perez, the Chamber is 
stronger and more influential than ever. I would like to congratulate 
him on his many successes and wish him the very best in the next 
chapter of his life.
  A native of San Antonio, Texas, Mr. Perez learned about the 
importance of small businesses--and the challenges that they face--at

[[Page E1230]]

an early age while working for his family's landscaping company. He 
would go on to serve as Assistant to the City Manager in my hometown of 
Laredo, Texas and as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Clinton 
Administration. He then returned home to San Antonio where he would be 
elected to the City Council and eventually take the reins at the local 
Chamber.
  Under Mr. Perez's tenure, the Chamber successfully advocated for the 
establishment of Texas A&M University--San Antonio and passage of the 
Vista Ridge Pipeline project. Mr. Perez also oversaw the design and 
implementation of a new governance structure and strategic plan for the 
Chamber. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chamber was not only a 
powerful advocate for the interests of local businesses, but also a 
critical resource for businessowners trying to make sense of the new 
pandemic relief programs established by Congress.
  With more than 1,650 members, Mr. Perez has harnessed the power of 
San Antonio's business community to make the city a friendlier place 
for entrepreneurs and employers. He has been a tireless advocate for 
the San Antonio business community, and I have greatly enjoyed working 
with him over the years.
  Once again, I would like to recognize all that Mr. Perez has 
contributed to the Chamber, to the City of San Antonio, and to the 
State of Texas. I congratulate him on his work over the past 15 years, 
and I look forward to seeing what the next chapter of his life holds.

                          ____________________