Rebecca “Becky” Robinson Named Citizen of the Year at 91st Annual Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce Banquet

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2018

Eagle Passan educator, administrator, and philanthropist Rebecca “Becky” Robinson was named the 2017 Citizen of the Year at the 91st Annual Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce Banquet held on Friday, March 2, 2018, at the City of Eagle Pass International Center for Trade.

Other distinguished Eagle Passans receiving a nomination for Citizen of the Year Award included Ana Cantu, Dora E. Libson, Sandra Ruiz, Nora Trejo, and Jacob I. Wright, Jr.

Keynote speaker was native Eagle Passan Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez, President of Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, Texas. Dr. Rodriguez presented an eloquent and emotional address to the over 300 attendees, stating that the most important investment in the State of Texas future is education.  Dr. Rodriguez postulated that education is the key to success in the United States and that the State of Texas needs to educate its youth and workforce to prepare them for the careers and jobs of the 21st Century. Citing himself as a personal example, Dr. Rodriguez noted his rise from humble beginnings in Eagle Pass to becoming a leader in higher education through academic studies. Dr. Rodriguez obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University, a Master of Business Administration in International Trade from Texas A & M International University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Rodriguez credited the extraordinary values learned from his wonderful parents and family as well as his teachers from the Eagle Pass Independent School District as being the key to his success.  Dr. Rodriguez stated that the community of Eagle Pass is a unique and important international city in the United States with its enviable bilingual and bicultural culture and strategic geographic location on the United States-Mexico border.  Dr. Rodriguez cited his childhood and education in Eagle Pass has provided him advantages in the business and educational fields.

The 2017 Outgoing Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Juan Espinoza, Alma Mendoza, and Ruben Carrillo, Jr. were presented a plaque of recognition for their service and dedication during the 2017 Fiscal Year.

The 2018 Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors including President William “Billy” Davis, First Vice-President Claudia Rodriguez-Wright, Second Vice-President Jorge Barrera, Secretary-Treasurer Diana L. Salinas, and Directors Rodolfo “Fito” Barrera, Andres Beattie, Martha Garcia, Mike Garcia, Juan Garza, Ruben Herrera, Larry Martin, Hilda Martinez, and Alma Villarreal De Velasquez were sworn-in by Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu.

Master of Ceremony was Jorge Barrera. The invocation was presented by Larry Martin. Chamber President William “Billy” Davis presented his annual Chamber Report to members via video as he was out of town on business.  Guests received a delicious steak dinner and refreshments. Door prizes and gifts were awarded to lucky guests throughout the evening.