BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The state legislature does not usually fund zoos but state Rep. Erin Elizabeth Gámez found a way to make it happen for Brownsville’s crown jewel, Gladys Porter Zoo.
Against all odds, the Brownsville legislator secured $1 million for the zoo this past legislative session.
In an exclusive video interview with Ron Whitlock Reports and the Rio Grande Guardian, Gámez said it was one of her proudest legislative achievements to date.
“Talking with Dr Burchfield, I asked him, when was the last time y'all received some money from the state? And he goes, ‘What are you talking about? Since I've been here, I've never seen an appropriation of money funds from the state.’ He goes, “We get either federal funding or funding from grants,” Gámez said.
Dr. Patrick M. Burchfield is director and herpetologist at Gladys Porter Zoo.
Gámez said she was puzzled by what Burchfield said.
“I thought , that's fascinating, because when we talk about the concept of tourism and an economic generator in downtown Brownsville, there's nothing comparable to the zoo. When we talk about heads and beds and attracting tourism, it is the number one tourist destination in South Texas. It's our crown jewel.”
So, Gámez went back to her office and discussed the matter with her staff.
“I said, hey, the zoo's never gotten money from the state. And my team immediately said, well, Erin, that's because it's a zoo. The state just doesn't appropriate money to zoos. I said, what? And my staff said, no, the state only does parks and wildlife issues. Public places like a zoo, that’s more philanthropy. The state's not going to get involved in that.”
Gámez responded: “Well, darn it, okay.”
Later, Gámez was in a meeting with Brownsville’s mayor and city manager. “We were looking at one of the visions of the masterplan of downtown Brownsville. I looked at the map, and I looked at the area where Gladys Porter Zoo is. And looking at the raw platting, it said Brownsville Park. I said, hey, why does this say Brownsville Park? And they said, oh, because that's how it's legally classified in the metes and bounds. And I thought to myself, oh, but I didn't say anything.”
Gámez said she immediately called her staff. “I said, it's a park. I know it's called a zoo, but this was back in the day when the land was transferred over. This is its legal description. And my staff said, really? And I said, yes, look it up. Go to the deed records, get the legal metes and bounds for the plot and show me.”
Gámez continued: “We did that and, for sure, it was labeled as Brownsville Park. I didn't say anything to anyone because I didn't want to get anybody's hopes up. This has never happened before. So, I submitted one of my requests through the appropriations committee, and I quietly and patiently waited and waited.
“At the end of the session, they (the House leadership) came to me and gave me an envelope. That's how this works. They give you an envelope with your wins. I opened my envelope and it said $1 million for the Brownsville Park, aka Gladys Porter Zoo. I about cried.”
Gámez said she believes in serendipity. fate, and God's plan. “I do believe that when we talk about being in a place, in a time, for a purpose, that's what we were there for. And I will never forget getting a call from some of the members on the board of the zoo. They were crying, saying, Erin, this has never happened before. What did you do? How did you do it?”
Gámez said she feels “truly blessed” to have been able to deliver $1 million to Gladys Porter Zoo and the City of Brownsville.
“Our median income here, for some of our families, is under $30,000. Some of our children, from Brownsville Independent School District, that go to the zoo, they're never going to be able to go to Disney World. They're never going to afford that flight to Florida. They might not even be able to afford the drive to Six Flags or the $100 passes for each child. But they will go to the zoo.
“When we talk about quality of life and exposing our children to top-tier facilities, to access to, again, a crown jewel… they deserve that. That is life-changing for them.”
Gámez added: “My whole heart just swells thinking about being able to have served in that capacity. And it's most certainly one of my happiest accomplishments that I didn't see coming.”
Editor's Note: Ron Whitlock, of Ron Whitlock Reports, assisted with this story from Brownsville.
