[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[House]
[Page 27853]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 NO PLACE LIKE HOME: ROCKSPRINGS, TEXAS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, in the vastness of west Texas, the sky is a 
brilliant brazen blue and a place where sparse live oak trees fight to 
even exist. In the stillness of these arid plains is the remote south 
Texas town of Rocksprings.
  The people of this community of only 1,250 had a homecoming Saturday 
for their favorite son, Deputy Gilmer Hernandez. I was honored to be 
there. The ceremony, ironically, took place on the courthouse square 
under the pecan trees and in front of the old limestone courthouse. 
Ironic because, you see, Mr. Speaker, the town was celebrating the 
release of Gilmer Hernandez from the Federal penitentiary. He had been 
sent to prison for, as local sheriff, Donnie Letsinger put it ``just 
doing his job for the rest of us.'' The sheriff spoke the sentiments of 
most of the townspeople that I got to talk to.
  The town was decorated with signs and flags and banners in windows of 
houses and in front of stores. Anyway, the ceremony started off with a 
lengthy prayer by the local Baptist preacher, and then there was a 
rousing pledge to the flag. There were tears and speeches by 
politicians. The mayor, Rachel Gallegos, presented Deputy Hernandez a 
proclamation from the city as Rocksprings' Favorite Son.
  Most of the community turned out, many carrying signs of ``Welcome 
Home, Gilmer.'' Gilmer's family was there, his wife, Ashley; and his 
wonderful young daughter. When Gilmer was shipped off to Federal 
prison, the people of this small town rallied around his family. The 
town paid the rent on his pickup truck, took his family into their 
homes, provided food, and took care of his mortgage on his house. They 
sent him letters while he was incarcerated; they prayed for him; and 
when he got home, he already had a job with the city and the local 
phone company.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an interesting celebration considering Gilmer 
was a convicted felon. Gilmer Hernandez grew up in Rocksprings. His 
family is from there. He became a deputy sheriff for Edwards County. He 
always dreamed of being a lawman, even though he made a little bit over 
just $20,000 a year patrolling a county the size of Delaware.
  Here's what happened sometime ago: while this young deputy was on 
routine patrol late at night, he came in contact with an SUV that ran 
the red light in Rocksprings, Texas. He pulled the vehicle over; and as 
he approached it, the truck sped off and swerved to run over the 
deputy. Gilmer pulled his weapon and shot out two tires in self-
defense. The vehicle stopped, and numerous illegals, including the 
coyote smuggling the illegals into America, took off running. But one 
of Gilmer's bullets ricocheted in the SUV and hit a passenger as Gilmer 
fired at the fleeing vehicle. This was the first time Gilmer Hernandez 
had ever fired his pistol.
  The sheriff and the Texas Rangers investigated the incident; and 
after investigating it thoroughly, they cleared Hernandez.
  But upon the assistance of the arrogant Mexican Government 1 year 
after the incident, our almighty Federal Government prosecuted Gilmer 
for a civil rights violation, saying he should not have continued 
firing at the vehicle after it drove past him. So Gilmer Hernandez was 
sent off to prison at the behest of Mexico with the United States being 
the puppet. By the way, all of the illegals got to stay in the United 
States.
  Many of the townspeople told me Saturday they thought Gilmer was 
right to defend himself. One old crusty Texas rancher called Gilmer a 
political prisoner.
  I and others of this House have asked the President to pardon Gilmer 
Hernandez, and we hope eventually the President does pardon him. He 
has, after all, served his time.
  But Saturday, as the magnificent sun began to set, the town of 
Rocksprings came out to cheer and honor and praise and totally support 
its favorite native son. After all the hoopla, the town went down the 
road to the fairgrounds for barbecue and homemade desserts. And, by the 
way, the sheriff gave Gilmer back his badge, hoping some day he will be 
able to wear it again.
  Deputy Gilmer Hernandez is a remarkable person, and the town of 
Rocksprings is a uniquely remarkable place to be from.
  And that's just the way it is.

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