Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott attended a renaming ceremony for the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, which has been renamed the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum joined Abbott at the event. The name change was initiated by an Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year to honor Jocelyn Nungaray.

"It’s an honor to be here today to rename this wildlife refuge after Jocelyn Nungaray,” stated Governor Abbott. He further expressed appreciation to President Trump and Secretary Burgum for dedicating the sanctuary to Jocelyn. Abbott commemorated Jocelyn’s love for animals and emphasized the refuge as a peaceful place for wildlife.

The ceremony included appearances by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Paul Souza, former Complex Manager of the Texas Chenier Plain Refuge Tim Cooper, Anahauc National Wildlife Refuge Manager Kristin Fritiz, and Alexis Nungaray, Jocelyn's mother.

In connection with Jocelyn's tragic death, Governor Abbott, during his 2025 State of the State Address, called for legislation enforcing the death penalty for those convicted of murdering a child.