City of Laredo Goes to Washington, D.C.
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Mar 5, 2011, 0 Comments
Annual trip for City Leaders who Continue to advocate for Federal Funds
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
This Sunday March 6th The City of Laredo will travel to our nation’s capitol, advocating for federal funds and policy changes to help with various local issues in the community that have a regional or national impact, such as health, security, environmental or water or transportation issues. Because of the many relationships that have been established by local leaders with U.S. senators and representatives, as well as the many federal agencies, federal funds continue to pour into Laredo coffers to help fund various projects and move the city forward. Leading the delegation will be Mayor Raul G. Salinas; Council Member Esteban Rangel; Council Member Alex Perez, Jr.; Council Member Johnny Rendon; Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr.; and Council Member Cindy Liendo Espinoza.
“Laredo, as the nation’s largest inland port is truly the hub of the Americas,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas. “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, Gerard Lederer of Miller Van Eaton, 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,” said City Manager Carlos Villarreal.
Highlights of the trip include a meeting with representatives of the White House Intergovernmental Affairs. 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 tour of the White House for Laredo elected officials. Other meetings include those with Texas’ own Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Senator John Cornyn, along with the Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation and HUD to name a few. (See complete list page 2.)
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 more federal funds allocation, allowing for local tax dollars to be used for other local needs,” said Congressman Cuellar, D-Laredo.
Meetings Scheduled:
Congressman Henry Cuellar Department of Transportation
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Environmental Protection Agency
Senator John Cornyn Federal Aviation Administration
American Bus Association Food & Drug Administration
American Public Transportation Association General Services Administration
Army Corp of Engineers Housing & Urban Development
Department of Agriculture Mexican Embassy
Department of Commerce National Parks Service
Department of Energy State Department
Dept. of Health & Human Services U.S. Conference of Mayors
Dept. of Homeland Security Western Hemisphere Int’l Trade Admin.
Department of Justice White House
