2013 Law Day Scholarship Banquet and Fund Raiser Celebrated
By: Ricardo E. Calderon
An Exclusive Eagle Pass Business Journal News Story/Copyright 2013
The Del Rio Division Association of Federal Attorneys celebrated their 2013 Law Day Scholarship Banquet and Fund Raiser on Wednesday, May 1st, at the San Felipe Country Club in Del Rio, Texas with United States Senior District Judge David Ezra for the District of Hawaii and now with the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division, presenting the keynote speech.
Past President of the Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys, Rogelio M. Munoz, welcomed the over 75 guests attending the annual Law Day Scholarship Banquet and Fund Raiser.
United States Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, introduced the distinguished guests and the 2013 Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys new Officers, including Assistant United States Attorney Chris Blanton as President, Reginald Van Wade as Vice-President, Javier Riojas as Secretary, U.S. Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia as Treasurer, and Rogelio M. Munoz as Past President.
United States Magistrate Judge Collis White for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, administered the Oath of Office to the new Officers and congratulated them on their dedication and service to the federal legal community.
United States Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia presented the prestigious annual Lawyer of the Year Award as voted upon the Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys members to Past President and Uvalde, Texas attorney Rogelio M. Munoz. Munoz received the Lawyer of the Year Award and thanked his fellow colleagues for honoring him with the Association’s highest award for an attorney.
Former Past President and current Secretary Javier Riojas presented the ten winners of the Association’s annual scholarships to graduating seniors residing within the Del Rio Division, including Ruben P. Cardenas of Del Rio High School, Javier A. Cardona of Eagle Pass High School, Daniela Fuentes of Eagle Pass High School, Kelsey P. Green of Del Rio High School, Jonathan Pinales of Brackettville High School, Javier Riojas of Eagle Pass C. C. Winn High School, Germain E. Torres of Eagle Pass C. C. Winn High School, Lynced A. Torres of Eagle Pass High School, Amy M. Urrabazo of Crystal City High School, and Michael A. Westlake of Del Rio High School. Each scholarship recipient will receive a $500 scholarship to assist them with their tuition and/or expenses in college. Scholarship sponsors were attorneys Sylvia A. Cavazos, Jesse Coronado, Erica B. Geise, Jeff Mulliner, and Javier Riojas. The Executive Scholarship Committee included Javier Riojas, Alberto Ramon, and Jesse Coronado.
Past President Rogelio M. Munoz presented the Association’s Service Award to United States Chief Deputy Marshal Mario Pelayo for his extraordinary dedication and service to the members of the Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys.
United States District Judge Alia Moses for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division, introduced and welcomed keynote speaker United States Senior District Judge David Ezra for the District of Hawaii and now for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division.
Keynote speaker United States Senior District Judge David Ezra thanked Judge Alia Moses for inviting him and granting her concurrence that he be assigned 30% of the Del Rio Division Criminal Docket commencing in May of 2013. Judge David Ezra shared some of the more interesting and important cases litigated and later adjudicated by him as both a lawyer and jurist. Judge Ezra highlighted some of the most important values and ethics necessary of attorneys to succeed in representing their clients and practice of law. Judge Ezra noted that he has been a United States District Judge for 26 years and the many friends he has made during these years with many federal jurists, including United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Judge Ezra welcomed the opportunity to become a Senior District Judge in the Western District of Texas. Judge Ezra took questions from the audience and enjoyed answering them with personal anecdotes from his distinguished federal jurist career.
A silent auction was held during the banquet to raise additional funds to support the Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys Scholarship Program under the direction of United States Magistrate Judge Collis White.
Newly sworn-in President Chris Blanton congratulated the United States District Judges and Magistrate Judges, the Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys members, the distinguished guests from the United States Attorney’s Office, the United States Federal Public Defender’s Office, the United States Marshal’s Office, the United States Probation Office, the United States Pre-Trial Services Office, the United States District Clerk’s Office, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and guests for attending the 2013 Law Day Scholarship Banquet and Fund Raiser and their loyal support of the youth of the community through their generosity to the Scholarship Program.
