Serna deserves honor for sacrifice and courage
I thank Representative Hurd for working towards naming the Tornillo Port of Entry after my Fathers name. My family is all very grateful and honored that this is finally happening" Gloria Serna daughter of PVT Serna.
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. After a year-long effort championed by local veterans groups and community leaders U.S. Representative Will Hurds bill to honor a local military veteran has been signed into law by the President. Under the new law the Tornillo Port of Entry in El Paso County will be named after Private Marcelino Serna the most decorated WWI veteran from Texas.
This month as a nation we are honoring Hispanic-Americans for their numerous contributions to our country making the signing of this bill into law very special indeed" said Hurd who represents the Tornillo area where Serna lived. Private Serna and countless other Hispanic-Americans who served with distinction in our military deserve to be honored and praised for their sacrifice and courage. The Tornillo-Marcelino Serna Port of Entry will be a constant reminder that the land of the free owes so much to these brave individuals."
I cant thank Senator John Cornyn enough for his efforts to make sure this bill passed the Senate in a timely manner" Hurd continued.
Private Sernas dedication to his country is an inspiring example for all of us and Im proud to recognize his service at a such an important juncture for the U.S.-Mexico relationship said Sen. Cornyn. Im pleased to partner with Congressman Hurd in this effort to honor a valued member of the El Paso community and someone who truly went above and beyond the call of duty.
Ms. Gloria Serna the surviving daughter of Marcelino Serna responded to the news. I thank Representative Hurd for working towards naming the Tornillo Port of Entry after my Fathers name. My family is all very grateful and honored that this is finally happening."
Ms. Sernas daughter Laura Stopani added Im so happy that my grandfather is finally being honored. We are very proud of my grandfather. He was a good man he didnt do this for any recognition; he did all this for the love of his country. He came to this country and he said Ill fight for it and he did and we are very proud of him. We appreciate everything Representative Hurd has done to honor my grandfather very much. We are very grateful to Representative Hurd to have given my grandfather this honor."
Tina Martinez the Secretary of the Texas Womens Chapter of the American GI Forum offered the following comment. I would like to congratulate the Serna family and thank Congressman Will Hurd and all the Veterans organizations who helped recognize Texas most decorated World War I hero Army Pvt. Marcelino Serna."
The renaming of the Tornillo Port of Entry after U.S. Private Marcelino Serna commemorates the life of a great Mexican-American who served his country honorably being the most decorated WWI Veteran from Texas. The port will also honor the sacrifices countless other Latinos have made while serving their country. LULAC thanks Congressman Will Hurd and Senator John Cornyn for their efforts in making this tribute a reality
said Roger C. Rocha Jr. LULAC National President.
On behalf of the American Legion Post 36 I am extremely grateful and proud that the proposal to rename the Tornillo Port of Entry after PVT Marcelino Serna was approved. It is even more gratifying to our post members because our First Vice Commander Robert Serna is the heros nephew. Having the port of entry in Tornillo renamed after PVT Serna will bring attention to his life and his heroic accomplishments and will serve as a source of pride for citizens of both the United States and Mexico
said Ruben Carrasco Commander of the American Legion Post 36 in El Paso.
On behalf of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 574 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10354 we express our appreciation for supporting HR 5252 (Naming of the port of entry to Marcelino Serna).The VVA and VFW both extend our thanks to our current Congress for the passing of this HR bill as it means much to our El Paso Texas community as an honor that is way overdue" submitted in a joint statement from
Humberto Nevarez President of the VVA Chapter 574 and Robert Rangel Commander of VFW Post 10354 of El Paso.
This is Hurds fifth piece of legislation to become law during his freshman term in Congress.
