FROM THE GOVERNOR

Governor Abbott Honors First Responders At 2025 Star Of Texas Awards AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott delivered the keynote address and presented awards to honor the service and sacrifice of peace officers, firefighters, and first responders at the 2025 Star Of Texas Awards in Austin.

“What you all do for the State of Texas is incomparable,” said Governor Abbott. “It is rightful that we gather on this day of remembrance to recognize not only what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, but also to recognize the ongoing ways in which our first responders stand up for our communities. This year, we honor 28 remarkable Texans who demonstrated incredible heroism in the line of duty. They are a shining example of the very best of the Lone Star State. May God bless you and watch over you, and may God forever bless the great state of Texas.”

During his keynote address, the Governor emphasized the need to educate and remind all Americans of the assault on the United States of America on Sept. 11, 2001. Governor Abbott honored and recognized the heroism of those who sacrificed their lives to serve their fellow Americans that fateful day. Additionally, the Governor noted the extraordinary courage and commitment of first responders who daily put themselves between danger and the people they serve.

The Governor was joined at the ceremony by First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Texas Department of Public Safety Colonel Freeman Martin, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Senator Cesar Blanco, Senator Joan Huffman, Representative Andy Hopper, Representative Donna Howard, Representative Brent Money, Representative Angelia Orr, Representative David Spiller, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 1 Judge David Schenck, and other state and local officials.

Additional photos of the ceremony will be provided here when available.

Established in 2003 through House Bill 1937, the Star Of Texas Awards honor and commemorate individuals who made profound commitments while performing their duties as peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders. House Bill 1937 also designated September 11 of every year as Texas First Responders Day.

The 2025 Star of Texas Award recipients are:

• Morgan Layne Powell,

Amarillo Police Department

• Tanner Lucas Cilento, Austin Police Department

• Gabriel Charles Fells, Beaumont Police Department

•Sheena Dae Yar brough- Powell, Beaumont Police Department

• Jesus Vargas, Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office,

• John Alexander Hampton, Dallas Fire Department

• Darron L. Burks, Dallas Police Department

• Nathaniel Wayne Chapman, Dallas Police Department

• Jamie Corey Loven Farmer, Dallas Police Department

• Karissa Kayla Groman, Dallas Police Department

• Kayla Rayuen Jones, Dallas Police Department

• Brandon Dwayne Turner, Danbury Police Department

• Abel G. Sanchez, Ector County Sheriff’s Office

• Jason Daniel Bulman,

Fort Worth Police Department

• Billy Wayne Randolph,

Fort Worth Police Department

• Cooper Steven Dawson,

Greenville Police Department

• Armando Esqueda, Harris County Sheriff’s Office

• Kevin D’Wayne Cordell, Hill County Constable’s Office

• Lemuel Delray Bruce Jr., Houston Fire Department

• Edward G. Escamilla, Houston Fire Department

• Marcelo Garcia III , Houston Fire Department

• Johnathan J. Guzman,

Houston Fire Department

• Darren D. Jones, Houston Fire Department

• Chris DeWayne Reger, Jack County Sheriff’s Office

• Chelsey R. Rose, Pecos County Sheriff’s Office

• Corey S. Rogers, San Antonio Police Department

• Curtis L. Dees, Stephenville Police Department

• Todd N. Tipton, Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office

Abbott announces 2025 Lex Frieden Employment Award winners AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott announced the 2025 winners of the Lex Frieden Employment Awards (LFEA) for their commitment to hiring and supporting the employment of individuals with disabilities.

“In life, we are not defined by the challenges that we face but by how we respond to those chal lenges,” said Governor Abbott. “When a life-changing accident over 40 years ago left me paralyzed, I made the decision to not let my life be defined by the enormous challenge that I faced. Texas businesses do just that by empowering their employees, co-workers, and fellow Texans with disabilities. I applaud those who encourage independence, productivity, and self-determination and congratulate the winners of this year’s Lex Frieden Employment Awards for their work to hire and support Texans with disabilities. Working together, we will create a brighter, more inclusive future for all Texans in our great state.”

In a partnership between the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and the Texas Workforce Commission, winners will be honored at the Lex Frieden Employment Awards – Hire-Ability Employer Forum at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio on October 2, 2025. Tickets are available at: https://bit. ly/ TXHireAbility2025.

The HireAbility Forum will feature presentations from disability advocates, industry leaders, and Americans with Disabilities Act experts sharing innovative ways to integrate employees with disabilities into the workplace. Society for Human Resource Management Continuing Education Units will be provided to attendees. The public is encouraged to join the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities for this annual celebration of successful employment for people with disabilities.

The 2025 Lex Frieden Employment Awards Winners are: • Small Employer: Mermaid Café, San Antonio

•Medium Employer: DHL-Nike, Hutchins

• Large Employer: City of Brownsville

• Nonprofit Employer: West Texas Counseling and Guidance, San Angelo

• Entrepreneur: Kristen McNabb Pattison, Fort Sam Houston

•Martha Arbuckle Award: Pharr Police Department – Mental Health Unit, Pharr

• Governor’s Trophy: Judy Telge, Corpus Christi The 2025 Chairman’s Commendations are:

• Texas Veterans Commission • Rusty Bourland, Austin

• Cord Shiflet, Austin This year marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign that celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and promotes all-encompassing employment practices.

The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities works toward a state in which people with disabilities have the opportunity to enjoy full and equal access to lives of independence, productivity and self-determination. The committee recommends changes in disability policies and programs, supports a network of committees on people with disabilities, issues awards to promote

Courtesy photo

greater awareness, and promotes compliance with disability related laws.

Abbott requests additional SBA assistance following Texas flooding AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott requested a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) rural area disaster declaration for the catastrophic flooding that took place over the July 4th weekend across the state. The counties requested in the declaration are Coke, Concho, Kendall, Mason, and Sutton.

“Texas continues to support communities and Texans who are working to recover from the devastating floods that took place over the Fourth of July weekend,” said Governor Abbott. “Today, I requested additional federal assistance to ensure that families and businesses in these affected areas have access to the support they need. Texas will continue to provide all necessary resources to help Texans recover and rebuild.”

If the Governor’s request is approved, the SBA would grant access to its Home Disaster Loans, Business Physical Disaster Loans, and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which would provide low-interest loans to qualifying homeowners, renters, and businesses in affected communities following the catastrophic flooding that occurred in July.

Governor Abbott continues to take action to provide all available resources to help support local communities from the impacts of the flooding, including:

• Extending disaster unemployment assistance for flooding survivors

• Securing an extension of the FEMA Individual Assistance registration period for Texas flooding survivors

•Presenting checks alongside the Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund to additional families impacted by the flooding in the Hill Country

• Announcing alongside the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country over $40 million in long-term flood relief funding efforts

• Announcing the approval of Uvalde County to the Presidential Disaster Declaration

• Celebrating the re-opening of Cow Creek Bridge

• Requesting federal disaster assistance for Uvalde County following flood impacts

• Joining the Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund in presenting checks to families impacted by Hill Country flooding

• Announcing 10 additional counties added to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration

• Requesting Real County be added to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration

• Announcing eligibility for additional counties for SNAP replacement benefits

• Updating the state’s disaster declaration to include four additional impacted communities and requesting nine counties be added to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration

• Securing approval for federal disaster assistance for two additional counties to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration

• Requesting the addition of two counties to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration

• Meeting with impacted Texans and first responders in San Angelo and providing an update on the state’s ongoing response and recovery operations

• Updating the state’s disaster declaration to include five additional counties and announcing federal approval of three more counties added to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration

• Announcing 26 additional counties eligible for SNAP hot foods

• Surveying flood damage with General Steven Nordhaus in the Texas Hill Country

• Requesting the addition of three counties for President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration

• Announcing up to $5 million in funding is available through the Texas Micro-Business Disaster Recovery Loan Program

• Announcing over $1.9 million in grant funding to hospitals in Kerrville and Llano impacted by recent catastrophic floods

• Touring flood damage in Leander and providing an update on Texas’ continued response to severe flooding impacting Central Texas

• Receiving approval for federal disaster assistance for additional impacted communities

• Requesting the addition of five counties to the Presidential Disaster Declaration

• Visiting with impacted Texans alongside President Trump in Kerrville

• Launching the new Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line

• Obtaining approval for federal disaster assistance for additional impacted communities

• Requesting additional counties for President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration

• Directing the state’s ongoing flood response and recovery efforts

• Announcing disaster unemployment assistance for flood impacts

• Surveying the flood damage of the affected areas and updating Texans on response efforts

• Providing an update on the state’s ongoing flood response in impacted communities • Obtaining approval from President Trump for federal disaster assistance as part of a Major Disaster Declaration

• Amending the state’s disaster declaration to include additional impacted counties and providing an update on the state’s emergency response in affected areas

• Providing an update on the state’s response to severe flooding in Kerr County and surrounding communities

• Increasing the readiness level of the State Operations Center and activating additional state emergency response resources as portions of West and Central Texas prepared for heavy rainfall and flash flooding threats

• Deploying state emergency response resources ahead of the rain and flooding threat

Abbott directs Texas DPS to strictly enforce English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to strictly enforce the English language proficiency requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations.

“Truckers play an instrumental role in Texas’ robust economy and in keeping our highways safe,” said Governor Abbott. “Every commercial driver license operator on Texas roadways must be able to communicate clearly in English to ensure compliance with traffic laws, follow safety directions, and prevent accidents. Today, I am directing DPS to enact zero-tolerance enforcement of these federal safety regulations across the board—whether drivers are operating across state lines or only within Texas. This approach will keep Texans safe while keeping our economy moving.”

At the governor’s direction, DPS’ Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troopers and inspectors will conduct English Language Proficiency reviews for all commercial license operators on Texas roadways. These evaluations are a critical measure to ensure drivers possess the necessary communication skills for roadway safety and compliance with federal regulations.

Since June 25, 2025— following President Donald Trump’s executive order directing full enforcement of English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers— DPS and partner agencies have taken enforcement action against approximately 445 commercial vehicle drivers in Texas for English proficiency violations. Of those, about 28 held Texas licenses, while roughly 336 were licensed in Mexico, with the remainder licensed in other states and countries.

Abbott has also directed DPS to cease issuing intrastate commercial driver licenses for drivers that cannot speak English sufficiently to communicate with department personnel.