Over the past several weeks, something truly remarkable has happened here in House District 94. Fans from every corner of the globe have gathered in Arlington to cheer on their national teams at AT&T Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They have come wearing their country’s colors, waving their flags, and speaking dozens of different languages. s
Far too often, people around the world see America only through headlines, political rhetoric, social media, or Hollywood stereotypes. They expected division, hostility, or indifference. Instead, they discovered something entirely different.
They found Texans.
They found neighbors eager to give directions, recommend the best barbecue, and strike up conversations with complete strangers. They experienced our famous hospitality, where a smile, a handshake, and a sincere “Welcome to Texas!” are offered freely. Many enjoyed their first taste of authentic Texas brisket, homemade peach cobbler, chicken-fried steak, and, of course, the seemingly endless baskets of complimentary chips and salsa that appear at so many of our favorite restaurants.
Visitors explored the Fort Worth Stockyards, watched longhorn cattle drives, shopped for handcrafted boots and western wear, listened to live country music, and experienced a culture unlike any other in the world. They didn’t just attend soccer matches. They experienced Texas.
As I’ve spoken with friends and local business owners throughout our community, I’ve heard the same story repeated again and again. Visitors are leaving with smiles on their faces and saying, “We love Texas,” and even more importantly, “We love America.”
Those simple words carry tremendous significance.
As a woman of faith, I believe God often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Every waitress who served a meal with kindness, every police officer who offered assistance, every volunteer who answered a question, every family who welcomed a visitor, and every Texan who simply demonstrated genuine hospitality became an ambassador for our state and our nation.
My prayer is that these visitors return home and share those experiences with their families, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. I hope they tell stories about the kindness they encountered, the generosity they witnessed, and the freedom they experienced. Personal testimony has a way of breaking down barriers that news reports never can.
This year also marks America’s 250th anniversary, a milestone reminding us that our nation has long been a beacon of liberty, opportunity, faith, and hope. While we certainly have challenges to overcome, the values that have made America exceptional remain alive in communities like ours.
Perhaps this World Cup will become more than an international sporting event. Perhaps it will mark the beginning of a renewed spirit of goodwill between nations. Maybe the friendships formed over barbecue, soccer, and simple acts of kindness will ripple across continents for years to come.
That is certainly my prayer.
May God continue to bless House District 94, the great State of Texas, and the United States of America as we begin our next 250 years with hope, faith, and open hearts.y
