Events

Alejandro M. Amaro is the Deputy Special Agent in Charge (DSAC) for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Laredo, Texas. As the DSAC, Mr. Amaro oversees the Assistant Special Agents in Charge in the HSI Del Rio, HSI Eagle Pass, and HSI Laredo offices for HSI San Antonio.

In this position, Mr. Amaro is responsible for one of the busiest areas of responsibilities within HSI, managing over 204 employees and a geographic area spanning 14 counties, with over 200 miles of international border between Mexico and the United States. HSI Laredo includes programmatic areas such as counter-proliferations, human smuggling, human trafficking, drug smuggling, financial crimes, fraud, cyber crimes, and child exploitation.

Mr. Amaro is a native of Laredo and began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the United States Marine Corps as a Military Policeman. In 1996, he graduated from the United States Border Patrol Academy and was stationed in San Diego, California. In January 1997, Mr. Amaro transferred to the U.S. Customs Service as a U.S. Customs Inspector in Laredo. In June 2000, Mr. Amaro became a Special Agent with the U.S. Customs Service, Office of Investigations, Laredo. With the creation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2003, Mr. Amaro continued his career as an HSI special agent. In 2010, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Laredo and was transferred to headquarters in 2015. Mr. Amaro completed his headquarters tour in Washington, D.C. from 2015 to 2018 where he held different leadership roles including Assistant Director for the National Targeting Center-Investigations, Director of the HSI Forensic Laboratory, and HSI Law Enforcement Advisor to the U.S. Department of State.

The Laredo Daybreak Rotary Club will assist the Mercy Clinic of Laredo with the annual Harvest of Health.  Members/Families are welcome to assist with this effort.  Participating will count as a make-up.

ATF undercover agent Robert Rodriguez was the unique and perfect choice to infiltrate the notorious Branch Davidian compound.  David Koresh had established his cult just outside Waco, armed its members with enough high-caliber weapons and ammo to start a war, and preached his 'end-of-the-world battle' as gospel taken from selected verses in the Book of Revelations. Koresh convinced all his followers to defend their compound to their last breath.

When Agent Rodriguez came face to face with Koresh, his training served him well.  He formed relationships, attended services to acquire knowledge of the group's practices, and kept an eye out for any surreptitious changes.  He adapted his personality to fit the situation, gained the trust of the target, and gathered inside information to assist in planning the government raid on the compound.

He reported everything to his commanders who were in charge of the raid.  Right after Agent Rodriguez learned that Koresh had been informed of the government's plan to invade the compound, he reported that new dire development to his superiors.  He told them: They Know We're coming!  

Despite his repeated warnings, the raid happened anyway.  Several AFT agents lost their lives, along with countless Davidians, and by the end of the siege, the Waco compound was swallowed in flames.  What went wrong?

They Know We're Coming! tells the wild, but true, story of Rodriguez' encounters with David Koresh, and the physical and spiritual battle which turned deadly for so many.

The Thanksgiving Holiday sign-in will serve as a make-up for those members that attend.

Gigi Garza is the Founder/CEO of Volunteers Serving the Need (VSTN.) The mission of VSTN, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, is to serve Webb County Military Veterans and surviving spouses. The primary service VSTN provides to eligible families bags of groceries, frozen meats/vegetables/fruits, and personal hygiene products at no cost to the participants. Mrs. Garza was born in Rio Grande City, Texas into a military/law enforcement family. Gigi’s grandfather served in the Army Fort Ringgold 12th Cavlery Unit E, her father with the Army Navy, and her mother with the Marines. Gigi was raised in Seal Beach, California, the eldest of six sisters, three of whom enlisted (with one of the three serving) Mrs. Garza had been married to a Military man for twenty-four years. He was one of seven brothers, all of whom voluntarily served in the Armed Forces. Gigi has two daughters, the oldest has her Master of Business from TAMIU and the youngest is a registered nurse (having graduated from LCC.) Learning volunteerism through her Dad and Mom, Gigi began volunteering in Laredo’s local churches shortly after moving here in the ninety’s. Gigi has served the following organizations: Templo Cristano Piedra Angular (Manos De Ayuda), First United Methodist Church (Angel Food Ministry), Laredo Stepping Stone, Christ Church Episcopal (New Leven), Joseph Warehouse for the Nation, Habitat for Humanity, Daybreak Rotary, Newcomers & Friends of Laredo and Grace Bible Church. Ms. Garza received the 2009 Jefferson Award for Public Service for Webb County and was 1 of 3 honorees in the 2017 Unsung Heroes Award by the Laredo Next Generation for her extraordinary service to our community. In 2024 Ms. Garza was honored to serve as Grand Marshal for the George Washington Birthday Celebration Parade. The veterans had their own float, all but one endured the cold. But they had a Wonderful Time with a Great boost to their Military Spirit!

The Laredo Daybreak Rotary Club raffle hosts this event for all club members, family, and friends.  Attending this event will count as a makeup.