Doug Ose: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4717, introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bentsen), designates a post office…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4717, introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bentsen), designates a post office located in Pasadena, Texas, as the Jim Fonteno Post Office Building. Members of the entire House delegation from the State of Texas are cosponsors of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, during his 28-year tenure as Harris County commissioner, Commissioner Jim Fonteno has championed many projects to improve east Harris County. For instance, one of his first initiatives was to create senior citizen centers throughout east Harris County. Today these senior centers are available throughout Harris County, and it is a tribute to Commissioner Fonteno for his foresight in championing their establishment. These multiservice centers provide many services to senior citizens, including transportation services to and from the centers. In addition, Commissioner Fonteno has worked to improve local recreation facilities by upgrading equipment, purchasing land, and building new facilities. There are currently 35 parks in Commissioner Fonteno's precinct, covering 4,000 acres and providing 30 miles of hiking and biking trails. Commissioner Fonteno has also worked to improve the services available to youth by establishing the East Harris County Youth Program, which serves at-risk boys and girls with summer camps and after-school programs.”