In a solemn gathering at Anahuac, Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum unveiled a new sign marking the transition of Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. The ceremony, detailed in a press release from the Governor's office, comes after President Donald Trump's executive order earlier this year to rename the refuge in memory of the late Jocelyn Nungaray.
“It’s honor to be here today to rename this wildlife refuge after Jocelyn Nungaray,” Governor Abbott said during the event, as reported by the Governor's office. "Jocelyn loved animals, and this land is full of them. A refuge from the dangers of the modern world, where they can prosper undisturbed and where we can enjoy them in their natural habitat." Jocelyn's memory reverberates through her family's presence, including her mother, Alexis Nungaray, who attended the ceremony.
According to the Governor’s office, the renaming initiative is intended as a tribute to Jocelyn's passion for nature and wildlife — a sentiment echoed by her mother and the officials gathered at the dedication. Those in attendance included Acting Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Paul Souza, former Complex Manager Tim Cooper, Refuge Manager Kristin Fritiz, as well as friends and family members touched by the legacy Jocelyn has left behind.
During the State of the State Address earlier this year, Governor Abbott expressed a sharp policy response to the circumstances surrounding Jocelyn's death, attributing it to illegal immigration. He called for legislation that would exact the death penalty on individuals found guilty of murdering a child.
