This week, my Capitol staff attended a ceremony honoring the late Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., with the unveiling of his official commission portrait at the Texas Department of Transportation Headquarters in commemoration of his esteemed service and enduring contributions.

Chairman Bugg created a brighter future for transportation across the State of Texas, and his impact on Texas transportation infrastructure will be felt for a century. 

Chairman Bugg was not just a colleague but someone I considered a dear friend. In 2019, I was named Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation. During that time, he helped mentor me in understanding the agency and the importance that transportation plays in our state. He was forward-thinking and dedicated to improving the state's transportation needs. Most importantly, he understood the significant role the Rio Grande Valley plays in transportation.

In the Valley, Chairman Bugg made it a priority to visit often, speaking with local leaders to address the challenges we are facing. He supported providing billions of dollars in transportation infrastructure to the RGV that had not been allocated in the past, including funding towards the South Texas International Airport at Edinburg and the Anzalduas International Bridge expansion. He was a strong supporter of international trade with the goal of connecting the RGV to the state highway system.

Chairman Bugg also played an important role in the merger of our three MPOs to create the RGV MPO, demonstrating to the rest of the state that we are united in improving transportation infrastructure.