The local youth advocacy organization will honor United States Congressman Vicente Gonzalez and former Children’s Defense Fund Board of Directors Chair Lan Bentsen.
Media Contact:
Dr. Brandy Taylor Dédé, btaylordede@childrensdefense.org, CDF-Texas State Director, 903-926-5331
John Henry, jhenry@childrensdefense.org, CDF Media Relations Manager, 708-646-7679
WESLACO, TX—Next week, Children’s Defense Fund-Texas will hold its inaugural Celebration of Joy ceremony to honor Texans who are bringing joy to communities, youth, and families across the Lone Star State.
The event, which is named “Texas’ Celebration of Joy — Honoring our Legacy and Building our Future,” will honor United States Congressman Vicente Gonzalez and former Children’s Defense Fund Board of Directors Chair Lan Bentsen.
Gonzalez has served as the member representing Texas District 34 in the United States House of Representatives since 2023. Prior to serving as Congressman for eastern Hildalgo County and all of Cameron, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Willacy, Gonzalez represented Texas District 15 from 2017 to 2023. The Texas Congressman believes all young people deserve a quality education and has worked to ensure that all South Texas K-12 schools receive the funding they need to support teachers and prepare students for the challenges they may face in the classroom and beyond.
Texas-based civic entrepreneur Lan Bentsen once served as the Chair of Children’s Defense Fund’s Board of Directors and as a member of the Children’s Defense Fund-Texas Advisory Council. Bentsen, a South Texas native, has had a lifelong passion for the health and education of young people who are at-risk. Previously, he helped create the eighteen-member Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, which ultimately pushed the State of Texas to pass the Maternal Child Health Improvement Act. That legislation resulted in Texas’ infant mortality rate being cut in half.
“We are so proud of the work all CDF-Texas staff and volunteers have done over the last 25 years to improve the well-being of young people in the Lone Star State,” said CDF-Texas State Director Dr. Brandy Taylor Dédé. “The impact of our efforts has only been magnified by the work done by generous Texans like Lan Bentsen and Congressman Vicente Gonzalez to ensure all young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. We cannot wait to join with them and other community members in the Rio Grande Valley who share our special mission to support all youth in Texas.”
CDF-Texas’ Celebration of Joy will include performances from the Cleckler-Heald Elementary Choir. CDF-Texas will also recognize past members of the CDF-Texas Advisory Council.
When: Thursday, October 24
Doors open: 11:00 a.m.
Program: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Where: Knapp Conference Center
1401 East 8th Street
Weslaco, TX 78596