Bob Franks: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 686 designates the United States Courthouse in Brownsville, Texas, as the Garza-Vela United States…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 686 designates the United States Courthouse in Brownsville, Texas, as the Garza-Vela United States Courthouse. Reynaldo Garza and Filemon Vela are two distinguished judges who sit on the Federal bench in Brownsville, Texas. Judge Garza began his distinguished career in public service with the Air Force during World War II. Upon his return from the war, Judge Garza returned to private practice until 1961, when President Kennedy appointed him to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. In 1974 he became the Chief Judge for the Southern District, until he was appointed by President Carter to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In April of 1997 Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist appointed him Chief Judge of the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals of the United States. Judge Vela, whose career in public service is equally distinguished, served in the United States Army, was the Commissioner for the city of Brownsville, and Judge on the 107th Judicial District, Cameron-Willacy County, Texas.”