For More Information Public Information Office, City Hall, 1110 Houston St., Laredo, TX 78040 Xochitl Mora o: 956.791-7461 m: 956.337.3639 e: [email protected] www.cityoflaredo.com City of Laredo Goes to Washington Annual advocacy trip pushes city’s important issues Laredo, TX—Feb. 26, 2015— The City of Laredo will travel to our nation’s capitol, advocating for federal funds to help with local issues in the community that have a national impact, such as health, security, environmental, water and transportation. Leading the delegation will be Mayor Pete Saenz; District I Council Member Rudy Gonzalez; District II Council Member Esteban Rangel; District III Council Member Alex Perez; and District V Council Member Roque Vela. They will be joined by City of Laredo administrators and directors, leaving on Sunday, March 1, 2015 and returning to Laredo on Thursday, March 5, 2015. Because of the many relationships that have been established by local leaders with U.S. senators and representatives, as well as the many agencies, federal dollars continue to pour into Laredo coffers to help fund various projects and move the city forward. “Laredo, as the nation’s largest inland port, is truly the hub of the Americas,” says City of Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz. “Laredo is also our country’s most vital border city. This trip serves to remind our elected officials of Laredo’s most pressing needs.” Assisted by the City of Laredo’s federal legislative consulting firm, delegates meet with legislators and agencies that govern the issues which most impact Laredo. “Because of the role our community plays in protecting our nation, while promoting trade throughout the western hemisphere, it is imperative that we travel to our nation’s capitol to remind Washington of the importance of Laredo,” says Interim City Manager Jesus Olivares. Highlights of the trip include a meeting at the Department of Justice, where requests will include funding for the City’s Emergency Operation Center, fire station construction; and continued funding and support of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program. Of course, no trip would be complete without a meeting with Laredo’s own congressman, U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar, who will be hosting a meeting of all Texas Members of Congress for the Laredo delegation. Additionally, visits to the office Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz will conclude the City’s efforts to advocate for Laredo. Other scheduled meetings include General Services Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Emergency Management Administration, Department of Energy and Health and Human Services, where City leaders hope to secure funding for chronic disease prevention, especially obesity and diabetes, substance abuse and mental health programs, and US/Mexico border region federal designation for public health border security. The City of Laredo will also push for funding for a new maintenance and operations facility for the El Metro transit bus system; modernization of the Laredo International Airport; HUD Entitlement Program CDBG & Home funding; and funding for the Rio Grande River Low Water Weir Project; Rio Grande Basin – Chacon Creek Improvements Project; as well as support for the Section 206 Ecosystem restoration projects. Additionally, Webb County elected officials and members of the private sector, including Laredo Chamber of Commerce, Laredo Development Foundation, Texas A&M International University and business leaders in Laredo are joining with City officials to make a more unified voice for the needs of the community. Finally, the trip wraps up with the annual Laredo Day Reception, on Wednesday night, where all elected officials, directors of federal agencies and staff members stop by to meet once more with City leaders in a more social atmosphere. “Having the city officials here in Washington, meeting with elected officials and other federal agencies, advocating on behalf of the city’s most pressing issues is very important for the citizens of Laredo, because that means Laredo can push for the allocation of more federal funds, allowing for local tax dollars to be used for other local needs,” said Congressman Cuellar, DLaredo. MEETINGS SCHEDULED: Congressman Henry Cuellar Administration Senator John Cornyn Agency Senator Ted Cruz Army Corp of Engineers Community Oriented Policing Services Department of Energy Dept. of Health & Human Services Department of Justice Department of Transportation CITY OF LAREDO OFFICIALS Jesus Olivares, Interim City Manager Cynthia Collazo Deputy City Manager Director Jose Flores, Airport Manager Economic Development Environmental Protection Federal Highway Administration Federal Railway Administration FEMA General Services Administration Office of Internal Health State Department Steve Landin, Fire Chief Riazul Mia, Environmental Services Dr. Hector Gonzalez, Health Director Mario Maldonado, Jr., Bridge System Manager Director Jessica Newsome-Harris, Executive Assistant to the City Manager Blasita Lopez, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Director COMMUNITY PARTNERS Webb County Commissioner John Galo, Pct 3 Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar Miguel Conchas, Laredo Chamber of Commerce Olivia Varela, Laredo Development Foundation Dr. Ray Keck, Texas A&M International University Armando Garza, Elia Guevara, Jesus Marina, Lucy Mejia, ALFA Nathan Bratton, Planning & Zoning Ray Garner, Police Chief Tomas Rodriguez, Jr., Utilities Eduardo Parra, CDM Frank Rotnofsky, Frank Architects Russell Ford, LAN Celina Alvarado, WBCA John Kilburn, TAMIU Eddie Zavala, Webb County
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