Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys Law Day Banquet Held, Gerald Moton named Lawyer of the Year

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys celebrated its 2015 Law Day Banquet and Scholarship Fund Raiser on Saturday, May 2, 2015, at the San Felipe Country Club in Del Rio, Texas, with Pete Gallego as the Keynote Speaker.

Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys Past President Reginald Van Wade welcomed the members, guests, and students to the 2015 Law Day Banquet and Scholarship Fund Raiser.

Dr. Samuel Garcia, Pastor at Trinity House of Worship in Del Rio, gave the invocation at the event.

United States Magistrate Judge Victor Roberto Garcia introduced the guests at the Law Day Banquet including U.S. District Judge Alia Moses, U.S. Magistrate Judge Collis White, and Pete P. Gallego.

United States Magistrate Judge Collis White swore-in the new officers of the Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys, including Sylvia A. Cavazos of San Antonio, Texas as President, Dalila P. Paxton of Del Rio, Texas as President-Elect, Rogelio M. Munoz, Jr. of Uvalde, Texas as Secretary, Joseph Cordova of Del Rio, Texas as Treasurer, and Reginald Van Wade of Del Rio, Texas as Past President.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Garcia also presented the prestigious Lawyer of the Year Award to Gerald Moton of San Antonio, Texas for his outstanding dedication and service as a lawyer on behalf of his clients in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division. Moton was elected as the Lawyer of the Year by his fellow colleagues and members of the Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys.

Eagle Pass attorney Javier Riojas, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, presented 10 $500 scholarships to area high school senior students in recognition of their exemplary academic achievement and citizenship. The ten recipients of the scholarships include Fernando Alvarez, Jr. of Eagle Pass C. C. Winn High School, Hector J. Black of Eagle Pass High School, Brianna S. Gallegos of Crystal City High School, Hugo C. Garcia of Eagle Pass High School, Karina Herrera of Del Rio High School, Angela Ann Limones of Uvalde High School, Albert Martinez, Jr. of Del Rio High School, Elizabeth Menchaca of Eagle Pass High School, Popz A. Reyes of Brackettville High School, and Evelyn Rodriguez of Sanderson High School.

Scholarship Committee members included Riojas, Alberto Ramon of Eagle Pass, Texas, and Jesse Coronado of Crystal City, Texas. Scholarship sponsors included Sylvia A. Cavazos of San Antonio, Texas, Jesse R. Coronado of Crystal City, Texas, Edgar Juarez of Eagle Pass, Texas, Sostenes Mireles of Del Rio, Texas, Rogelio M. Munoz, Jr. of Uvalde, Texas, Javier Riojas of Eagle Pass, Texas, and the Del Rio Association of Federal Attorneys.

Keynote speaker at the 2015 Law Day Banquet was former U.S. House of Representative Pete P. Gallego of Alpine, Texas (2013-2015). Gallego also served as a Texas House of Representative for District 74 during 1991-2012.
Gallego congratulated the members of the Del Rio Association for Federal Attorneys for their dedicated service to the legal system and community. Gallego also congratulated each of the Scholarship recipients and encouraged them to set their educational and career goals high. U.S. Magistrate Judge Garcia presented Gallego with a plaque of appreciation for being keynote speaker.

Members and guests enjoyed a silent auction during the Law Day Banquet and all proceeds raised will go to the Scholarship Committee.

Newly sworn-in President Sylvia A. Cavazos presented the closing remarks, thanked everyone for making the 2015 Law Day Banquet and Scholarship Fund Raiser a great success, and congratulated all of the Scholarship recipients.