Press Releases
Congresswoman Escobar Hosts Event Honoring Ten Extraordinary El Pasoans
El Paso, Texas,
April 2, 2026
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) hosted her third Congressional Commendation Event, recognizing a group of outstanding El Pasoans whose work has strengthened the community across fields including education, public service, the arts, science, and advocacy. “Together, these honorees reflect the strength, resilience, and talent that define El Paso,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Our community is grateful for their service and deeply proud to celebrate the profound impact each of these individuals has made on our beloved community. El Paso thanks you.” The honorees included: Carlos Spector – posthumous - In Memory of Carlos Spector (March 13, 1954 – March 1, 2026) was a respected immigration attorney, U.S. Air Force veteran, and human rights advocate whose work reshaped asylum law for Mexican nationals fleeing violence. A native of El Paso, Spector dedicated his life to defending the rights of migrants and strengthening the Borderland community he deeply loved. (Emily is presenting a CR at his memorial service at UTEP on Monday, March 9 but this would be another opportunity to celebrate his life and you to do so personally).
Sadok El Ghoul, Ph.D. - Dr. Sadok El Ghoul is a distinguished finance scholar and internationally recognized expert in corporate governance, whose work bridges rigorous academic inquiry with real-world organizational impact. In recognition of his sustained contributions to the field, El Ghoul was awarded the Yvan Allaire Medal from the Royal Society of Canada which is one of the nation’s highest scholarly honors. As a Regent’s Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso’s Woody L. Hunt College of Business, El Ghoul’s research deepens our understanding of how firms are governed, how they behave, and how governance mechanisms function across diverse institutional and cultural environments.
Leah Juarez - Leah Juarez is a senior at Horizon High School and dedicated three-sport athlete competing in wrestling, softball, and basketball. In February 2024, she suffered a career-threatening neck injury, breaking her C5 and C6 vertebrae while preparing for a regional wrestling meet. After undergoing a six-hour surgery at University Medical Center and committing herself to extensive physical therapy, Juarez worked to regain her strength. Demonstrating resilience and determination, she returned to softball and to wrestling finishing 3-1 and placed fifth. Amanda Ekery - Amanda Ekery’s latest album, Arabe, explores shared Syrian and Mexican history and culture along the El Paso border through 12 original songs accompanied by essays detailing the stories behind each track. The project addresses themes ranging from food traditions and folklore to immigration law, biracial identity, and workers’ rights. Arabe was nominated for “Best Album Notes” at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Ramadevi Subramani Reddy, Ph.D. - Getting inspiration from traditional remedies Dr. Subramani Reddy observed growing up, is investigating whether compounds derived from the neem tree, specifically gedunin, may provide a less toxic and more effective treatment option for pancreatic cancer. Supported by a $45,000 grant from the Lizanell and Colbert Coldwell Foundation, her research focuses on diseases that disproportionately affect the El Paso and Borderplex communities. Guillermo “Willie” Cordero - Willie Cordero will be featured in the Texas Highway Magazine for leading the efforts in preserving the historical cemetery of Smeltertown. Since 2019 Mr. Cordero and his volunteers have cleared tons of trash, replaced hundreds of broken crosses, and built a monument honoring local veterans buried at Smeltertown Cemetery. Julián Kalel Almanzan - Julian Kalel auditioned for American Idol in 2025 and impressed judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood with a performance of his original song, “Surrender” but took a step down from auditioning to bring awareness and focus on his mental health. He came back to audition again for American Idol in 2026 and is currently in the Top 30. Contacted him and he might be able to attend. Dr. Dennis Bixler-Marquez, Ph.D. - Dr. Bixler-Marquez retired last year from UTEP after over 40 years of service and has earned the highest rank in academics of Professor Emeritus in honor of his distinguished career and lifelong contribution to education and service as Director of the Chicano Studies Department.
Rosa Guerrero - Guerrero’s dedication to education and cultural advocacy has been recognized through numerous honors. She received a lifetime membership from the Texas Parent Teacher Association and became the first Hispanic woman and living educator in El Paso to have a school named in her honor, Rosa Guerrero Elementary School. In In 1993 and in 1994 was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame and into the El Paso Women's Hall of Fame and was recognized as a 1997 Distinguished Alumna of UTEP. Today, Guerrero continues her mission as an educational consultant, delivering presentations and lectures that promote cultural understanding, respect, and unity through the arts and education. Maestra Rosa Guerrero is an artist, educator, dancer, historian, and humanitarian who has dedicated her life to her community and whose work celebrates art, diversity, and human connection throughout our community and across the United States. Martine Ceberio - Dr. Martine Ceberio is a professor in Computer Science at UTEP who has played a key role in developing and re-designing UTEP’s computer science program. She also advanced efforts to expand access to computing education, particularly for women and under-served communities. She has been named a Piper Professor for 2025, one of the highest honors for educators in Texas. |