LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Jessica L. Newsome,

 Day two of Laredo’s Washington, D.C. advocacy trip found the group meeting with the White House and the Departments of State, Homeland Security, Energy, Commerce, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, as well as, organizations such as the American Bus Association, Sister Cities, and the General Services Administration.

 “We are very lucky in Laredo. We have a hard working council with a shared mission in Washington to promote Laredo and seek out Laredo- federal partnerships,” Mayor Salinas explained.  “For instance, today while Councilman Johnny Rendon and I were able to focus on White House relations and public safety issues, our council colleagues led delegations to address health, infrastructure, economic development, trade, and tourism issues.”

 City Manager Carlos Villarreal continued, “We had very good meetings at the State Department and the White House.  It is an honor to be welcomed at the both of these institutions, where it is clear that they understand Laredo’s challenges.  We were especially pleased at the willingness of the White House to assist us when we have issues with other agencies.” 

 Mayor Salinas added, “Laredo enjoys special relationships with Mexico.  When President Calderon came in to visit President Obama this past May, they set up a Border Master Plan.  We asked the State Department to honor the Border Master Plan and reject renegade proposals that have not been brought by local governments.” 

 “We have City representation in the Border Master Plan conference, and we will work to ensure that the infrastructure priorities will be of benefit to local communities and the general public instead of private interest groups,” City Manager Carlos Villarreal asserted.

 Border planning includes much more than infrastructure though, and Dr. Hector Gonzalez, Health Director for the City of Laredo, made sure to emphasize in meetings with both the State Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture that the Early Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance Project is key in preventing infectious animal-, man-, and food-borne diseases from spreading past the border. Dr. Gonzalez also advocated for the institution of a pilot program to help WIC recipients develop healthy food and exercise habits after their initial benefits expire.

 The city also focused on economic development efforts meeting with the Commerce Department, Sister Cities organization and the American Bus Association.  At the Commerce Department Deputy Assistant Sec. Walter Bastian was very high on Laredo’s efforts to promote trade in Central and South America and volunteered to assist in Laredo’s efforts to enhance employment through the promotion of exports.

 The delegation heads to Capitol Hill tomorrow for meetings with Representative Henry Cuellar and Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison.  The trip ends in the traditional Laredo Fiesta at which Laredo thanks all those who have met with the delegation during the week and to continue seeking partnerships.

The need to respect the border master plan is outlined by City Manager Carlos Villarreal during the meeting with the U.S. Department of State. Shown in the picture are Mayor Raul G. Salinas, City Manager Carlos Villarreal, Bridge Director Mario Maldondo, Council Member Jose A. Valdez, and Geoffrey Anisman, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Mexican Border Affairs Office, Department of State.