[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E193-E194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING SPELLING BEE CHAMPION ROBERTO ORTIZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VICENTE GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2023

  Mr. VICENTE GONZALEZ of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
winner of the 35th annual Rio Grande Valley Regional Spelling Bee, 
Roberto ``Robbie'' Ortiz from Brownsville's Incarnate Word Academy.
  In a contest that determines who would represent the Rio Grande 
Valley in the Scripps National Spelling Bee right here in Washington, 
D.C. this May, Robbie Ortiz outlasted 41 other spellers to bring home 
the regional championship and trophy.
  While the Ortiz family is no stranger to the Rio Grande Valley 
Regional Spelling Bee, as his sister had previously finished in 2nd 
place, it was the correct spelling of ``bastion'' and ``crustaceans'' 
that confirmed his win. I want to take this time to thank all the other 
contestants, parents, and educators that made this event possible, as 
well as the second-place finisher, Diego Reyna Oviedo, from IDEA 
College Preparatory-McAllen, and third place finisher, Luke Holt, of 
Port Isabel Junior High.
  It takes tremendous dedication, preparation, and training to win a 
competition like this, and I am thrilled that his hard work paid off 
and came to fruition with this victory. I cannot wait to see everything 
that Robbie accomplishes next.
  I look forward to welcoming Robbie to Washington in May, and I can 
say with certainty that I, along with the entire Rio Grande Valley, 
will be behind him.

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