Good afternoon. It’s an honor to be here in such a momentous occasion with Saronic and the leadership of our community, our governor of Texas and our Vice President J.D. Vance.
Bringing everyone together for a momentous situation like this will be, that will be transformative for our region, is always a good day.
As the son of a merchant mariner and having grown up around seaports and in naval air stations, I know firsthand the vital role the American domestic maritime industry plays in national security. And it warms my heart to see the political diversity that we've had today. There is something powerful about what is possible in America when we come together for something greater than ourselves. We may not always agree on everything, but we can and should come together around good jobs, a stronger economy, a safer nation, and opportunities for our community.
A groundbreaking is a promise. It says we believe in the people in this region. We believe what they can build when they're given the tools and opportunity and the chance of being part of something greater. Today, that promise takes shape right here in South Texas. Here at the Port of Brownsville, we're beginning a new chapter in the American shipbuilding industry, building autonomous vessels with technology that can help transform our ships, how they operate, and how our nation meets the global challenges of tomorrow.
And while we're certainly excited of the billions of dollars and hundreds of billions of dollars of economic impact for our region, it's important to consider that even the most advanced vessel in the world begins with people. It begins with the engineers who imagine what is possible-the welders and the skilled tradespeople who make it a reality, and the technicians and workers whose knowledge and care bring every piece together. And those people are right here in South Texas.
This project can open doors to careers in shipbuilding, engineering, advanced manufacturing, and technology. It gives a young person an opportunity to stay, a worker a chance to learn a new skill, and a family the opportunity to prosper closer to home.
The Port of Brownsville has a proud shipbuilding tradition. Today, South Texas carries that tradition into a new era. The autonomous ships built here will represent more than innovation; they will represent and reflect the talent, determination, and ambition of the people of South Texas.
We know what we can do when given the opportunity. We build. We solve problems, we work hard, and we take pride in doing it right. And that spirit belongs in the future of American shipbuilding. To Saronic, thank you for choosing the Port of Brownsville and believing in South Texas. To the port, our local leaders, educators, and workforce, thank you for making this day possible.
Now let's make sure our students and workers have the training and support they need to take full advantage of this opportunity. Let's build the future for the next advanced autonomous shipbuilding, which will be powered by Texas talent. Thank you, and God bless.
Editor's Note: The above remarks were delivered by U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen at a groundbreaking ceremony for Saronic Technologies’ Port Alpha project at the Port of Brownsville.
