MISSION, Texas - Environmental activist Ester Salinas would like to see a state historical marker erected on land that used to house the infamous Hayes-Sammons commercial-grade pesticide plant in Mission.
The mixing plant was located at Miller Avenue and East Eighth Street, in downtown Mission. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s website, it was operated by the Hayes-Sammons Chemical Company from 1945 to 1968. The company mixed and stored commercial-grade pesticides in two warehouse buildings on the property, which was leased by Union Pacific Railroad.
The plant was named a state Superfund site because contaminants were released from the contents of the two warehouse buildings into the soil. Hundreds of Mission residents that either worked at the plant or lived close to it have died of cancer. And more than 3,000 local residents were signed up by Salinas for a class action lawsuit filed in 1999 against various chemical companies.
“We need a state historical marker so that the people that lost their lives or were severely impaired are not forgotten. Having a commercial-grade pesticide plant here was clearly the worst thing that ever happened to Mission. A state marker, erected by the Texas Historical Commission, would make sure this sorry chapter in Mission’s history is never forgotten,” Salinas said.
Salinas said she hopes the Rio Grande Valley state legislative delegation, led by state Sen. Juan Hinojosa, will file a resolution this session in support of a state historical marker. “Sen. Hinojosa is from Mission and has been my attorney in this case in the past. He is very familiar with Hayes-Sammons.”
The class action lawsuit, brought by Edinburg attorney Ramon Garcia on behalf of Salinas and hundreds of other Mission residents, was settled out of court over a decade ago. However, Salinas says many residents have not received all the monies owed them.
The Rio Grande Guardian secured a recent interview with Salinas to learn more about the case. Here is a video recording of the interview:
