[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4971]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING PORTER EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2016

  Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Porter Early College 
High School on their victory in the Texas 5A Boys Soccer State 
Championship game which was played last Saturday in Georgetown. The win 
marks the second time the Porter Cowboys have won the state-wide soccer 
championship, earning the first title in 2006.
  After a long season marked by hard work and dedication by students, 
parents, coaches, teachers, support staff and administrators, the team 
clinched the state championship defeating Frisco Wakeland 10-9 in 
penalty kicks to secure the 3-2 victory. It is my great pleasure to 
honor the team members:
  Alexis Anzures
  Alexis Armendariz
  Daniel Briseno
  Robert Briseno
  Caleb Castillo
  Anthony Cuellar
  Marco Don Juan
  Omar Estrada
  Harambe Garcia
  Oscar Garcia
  Jaime Gomez
  Luis Lara
  Esteban Mata
  Jose Nava
  Jose Pardillo
  Jerry Perez
  Agustin Pizano
  Josue Reyna
  Luis Reyna
  Mario Rios
  Diego Rivera
  Uriel Sepulveda
  Angel Silva
  Enrique Soto--Captain
  Fernando Trigo
  Ricky Vidal
  Managers: Franco Gonzalez and Haziel Trevino
  Coaches: Jose Espitia, Eddie Buentello, Adrian Navarro and Antonio 
Serrano
  Video: Maria Esteves
  Porter Early College High School, located in the heart of Southmost 
neighborhood, is an important community institution. Countless 
teachers, police officers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors and 
engineers are Porter alumni, and the school bears the name of a woman 
who made important contributions to the City of Brownsville. Gladys 
Porter, daughter of philanthropist Earl C. Sams, who was the first 
president of the J.C. Penney retail chain, was devoted to South Texas. 
Ms. Porter was a well-known civic leader in Brownsville and was the 
driving force behind the Gladys Porter Zoo, which today attracts 
thousands of visitors annually to the Rio Grande Valley.
  I would like to express my deep gratitude to the families of these 
young men. Parents, grandparents, siblings and other family members 
make great sacrifices to support student athletes during the 
competitive season and all year long. Porter parents have spent years 
driving to practices, washing uniforms, cleaning cleats, cheering from 
the sidelines, and generally making sure these student athletes have 
everything they need to succeed both on and off the field.
  The coaches, teachers, and administrators deserve recognition for all 
they do to provide students with a high quality education that balances 
academic and athletic achievement. Teachers and coaches serve as role 
models, providing critical motivation and support for these young 
athletes.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in congratulating the Porter 
Cowboys boy's soccer team for their victory in the Texas 5A State 
Championship. Each of them, their parents, teachers, coaches and 
support staff make the Rio Grande Valley proud, and I wish them success 
in all their future endeavors.

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