[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16730]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNITION OF THE 2011 BORDER HEROES AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2011

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of three 
outstanding individuals, Jacob Heydemann, Kathleen Staudt, and Sister 
Phyllis Nolan, who will be honored this weekend with the 2011 Border 
Heroes Award for their dedication to academic, social and humanitarian 
service to communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
  Dr. Jacob Heydemann is an El Paso orthopedic surgeon who generously 
donates his services to clinics and hospitals in Ciudad Juarez and 
other parts of Mexico. Dr. Heydemann has been honored for his 
humanitarian work by the government of Mexico, and he is admired and 
respected by all of the borderland community. His efforts change lives 
for those in desperate need, provide critical health care access to the 
underserved, and inspire us all to give back to others.
  I also rise to recognize Dr. Kathleen Staudt, a political science 
professor at the University of Texas at El Paso. She founded the Center 
for Civic Engagement, which aims to foster collaborative leadership, 
civility and deepen democracy in the region through action-oriented 
learning, civic education, and active citizenship. She is also a 
faculty advisor for a number of student organizations at UTEP and is 
co-founder of the Women's Fund of El Paso. She has written or co-
authored more than a dozen scholarly books and published over 80 
journal articles in women's studies, borderlands, and political 
science. Her dedication to civic engagement and human rights serves as 
an inspiration to the El Paso community.
  I would also like to recognize the service of Sister Phyllis Nolan 
from the Daughters of Charity who will receive the 2011 ``Extraordinary 
Volunteer'' award. Sister Nolan is a volunteer intake specialist at Las 
Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center who visits the immigration detention 
center to interview detainees. She has touched countless lives by 
listening to their stories, and assisting immigrants in many ways as 
they go through the legal process. Sister Nolan's selfless service has 
given a voice for those who are seeking a better life.
  Individuals such as these are a true asset to our community and it is 
my privilege to represent them, and others like them.

                          ____________________