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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING MR. FELIPE `TRES' BARRERA
______
HON. VICENTE GONZALEZ
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr.
Felipe `Tres' Barrera, a member of the Washington Nationals 2019 World
Series Champions and a Rio Grande Valley Native.
Tres Barrera is an incredibly talented professional baseball catcher
for the Washington Nationals. He was born in Eagle Pass, Texas, and
moved to the Rio Grande Valley when he was 10 years old. Tres played on
the baseball team for Hidalgo High School his freshman year, winning
the District 32-3A Most Valuable Player award, before transferring to
Sharyland High School. At Sharyland High School, Tres played football
and baseball, and quickly became a standout athlete and student. He was
selected to two all-state teams, and won the 30-5A Most Valuable Player
and the All-Valley Player of the Year as a senior. His batting average
was an astonishing .452, hitting 22 home runs during his time at
Sharyland High School.
Tres' incredible work ethic, determination, and sheer talent earned
him a spot on the renowned baseball team for the University of Texas at
Austin. As a freshman, Tres was the team's starting catcher, won the
2014 College Home Run Derby, and led Texas to the College World Series.
His achievements continued on.
During his sophomore year, Tres was a vital part of the University of
Texas' Big 12 championship team, while adding his name to the All-Big
12 second team. In his junior year campaign, Tres earned the 2016
Academic All-Big 12 baseball honors and was named an All-Big 12
honorable mention. He left Texas after his junior year to join the
minor leagues, but only after walking away with 20 home runs and 106
runs batted in (RBIs) for the University of Texas at Austin.
Tres Barrera's hard work and dedication continued for the next three
years as he played for a number of minor league teams before being
called up to the Major League Baseball, MLB, on September 8, 2019, for
the Washington Nationals. Being a member of the Nationals, Tres
participated in one of the most unlikely runs in the history of
professional baseball.
The Nationals' record through 50 games was a poor 19 wins and 31
losses before they won 74 of their next 122 games. This secured the
Nationals a wild-card spot in the postseason, The Nationals continued
their unlikely playoff run until the very end, where they beat the
Houston Astros in seven games, winning the World Series on October 10,
2019. On that day, Tres earned himself the coveted World Series ring.
Madam Speaker, Mr. Tres Barrera worked tirelessly to prove that with
determination, will power, and commitment, we can accomplish anything
we set ourselves to do in life. Tres made history, gave young people
across our country the hope to achieve anything they set their mind to
and for that I stand here today to recognize him. He is a proud son of
South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley, and we appreciate him for his
work and dedication to the Washington Nationals.
____________________