Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
The event opened with a warm welcome from Sandra Falcon, President of the Hidalgo County Bar Association (HCBA), who set the tone for the evening. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the judiciary and the sponsors who made the event possible in her address.
“Tonight, we come together to honor and celebrate the dedication, integrity, and service of our local judges and justices,” said Falcon. “Their wisdom, impartiality, and commitment to the law inspire us all, and we are grateful for their service.”
Falcon also thanked Rio Bank for hosting the reception, acknowledging the institution’s vital role in supporting community initiatives.
The importance of Rio Bank’s sponsorship was underlined throughout the evening, with remarks from several of its leaders. Ford Sasser, CEO of Rio Bank, opened his speech with humor, drawing smiles from the crowd:
“Anytime I get into a room with this many lawyers, I feel like a long-tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs,” joked Sasser, causing laughter. “But we’re certainly glad to have you here. We appreciate the opportunity to host this event and celebrate the outstanding contributions of our judiciary.”
Sasser’s light-hearted remarks were followed by a sincere acknowledgment of recognizing the judiciary’s role in maintaining justice and fairness within the community.
Brian Humphreys, President of Rio Bank, also spoke, citing the efforts of Irma Murray, Vice President and Trust Officer, as the reason for the event’s continued success. “We’re certainly glad to have all y’all here once again, and hopefully, we can continue doing this. I really enjoy seeing your faces here!”
The evening’s heartfelt moments featured the recognition of judges from various courts, including federal, district, county, and specialty courts. Special attention was given to retired judges, whose legacies and contributions were celebrated by everyone in attendance.
“It is with deep gratitude and respect that we pay tribute to the judges and justices who have recently retired or stepped down from the bench,” said Falcon. “Your exemplary conduct and dedication to the highest standards of judicial excellence have inspired us all.”
As each group of judges was invited forward for recognition and photographs, the audience applauded, highlighting their deep respect and admiration for the judiciary’s work.
Perhaps the most moving reflections on community and service came from Irma Murray, who spoke passionately about Rio Bank’s commitment to serving Hidalgo County. Murray, who has worked in banking for decades, shared insights into Rio Bank’s culture and values.
“This is truly a community bank,” said Murray. “We have wonderful leaders who are passionate not only about the community but about the employees as well. We are here to serve our community, neighbors, and, most importantly, you.”
Murray also highlighted the bank’s open-door policy, emphasizing its mission to foster trust and collaboration within the community. Her remarks were met with nods of approval from the attendees, many of whom had experienced Rio Bank’s commitment firsthand.
The evening concluded with a group photo of judges wearing black robes, representing their collective commitment to justice. Pictures of the HCBA board of directors were also taken to commemorate the event, ensuring that the night’s significance would be remembered and celebrated in the association’s newsletter.
As the reception ended, Falcon thanked everyone for their attendance and invited them to enjoy the refreshments provided by Rio Bank.
“Your presence here tonight is a testament to the respect and admiration we hold for our judiciary,” said Falcon. “Let us enjoy this evening of camaraderie, appreciation, and recognition.”
The HCBA Black Robe Reception exemplified the importance of celebrating the judiciary’s contributions to Hidalgo County. The event reinforced the shared commitment to justice that unites the legal profession and the community, honoring the past, celebrating the present, and looking toward the future.
