On May 13, 2025, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced the Senate’s unanimous approval of the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act. This legislation seeks to formalize President Trump’s Executive Order that renamed the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near Houston to honor Jocelyn Nungaray.
Senator Cornyn highlighted the significance of this act by stating, “Jocelyn Nungaray was a 12-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted and murdered just north of Houston last June.” He added, “To commemorate Jocelyn’s life, I’ve introduced the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act, which would permanently rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Texas in her memory.”
The act aims to solidify President Trump’s executive order into law. As Senator Cornyn remarked, “This bill would actually codify President Trump’s executive order and ensure that future generations will remember Jocelyn for years to come.”
Jocelyn Nungaray was tragically murdered on June 17, 2024, in Houston. Two individuals accused of being part of the Tren de Aragua gang have been charged with her murder. Given her love for animals and her proximity to Houston, renaming the refuge is seen as a fitting tribute.
The refuge itself spans 39,000 acres along the Texas Gulf Coast and serves as a habitat for migratory birds and various wildlife species. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it plays an essential role in conservation efforts and public education.
President Trump had signed Executive Order 14229 on March 4, 2025, officially changing the name from Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. The renaming became official on March 7 after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed an implementation order.
Senator Cornyn introduced this act earlier in May to ensure that future administrations cannot reverse this decision by embedding it into law.
