Mayor Salinas To Testified Before Texas House Committee
Written by admin, Mar 1, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Testimony on border security, trade and tourism important to demonstrate need for direct federal funding for initiatives
(Laredo, Tx)- City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas, at the invitation of Chairwoman Veronica Gonzales, State Representative for the 41st District of Texas, will testified before the Texas House of Representatives Committee on Border and Intergovernmental Affairs, introducing the committee members to the issues concerning the Texas/Mexico border. Salinas testified about border security, trade, and tourism.
“This is an important opportunity to continue to educate our elected officials, whether state or federal, about the challenges and reality of border life in Texas,” said Salinas. “People in Austin or Washington sometimes don’t know what is true about life in Laredo, and so Laredo may not get the funding or attention it truly needs. I hope this testimony will help this committee understand Laredo and our border much better,” he concluded.
Indeed, the focus on the testimony opened up by highlighting the role Laredo plays in international trade. Salinas “recommended building bridges of commerce and friendship by employing technology and creativity to achieve enhanced security” for our borders “. . . . in a manner that does not close them to trade and community.” While this is great for business in Laredo, Salinas implored the committee to develop a new formula for direct federal funding to Texas Ports of Entry.
“Federal funding should compensate local communities that are providing protection to the nation and the easiest way to achieve this goal is to create a border category in all funding formulas, especially those that aid in providing for local infrastructure. The weight of commercial vehicles poses a major strain on our cities infrastructure that is unequal to the wear and tear of typical of non-commercial traffic and ups the ante for potential illicit cargo,” his testimony reads.
Additionally, Salinas will focused on the beauty of Laredo’s landscape, the richness of its culture, and the warmth of its people who, because of not only the violent drug war taking place across the river, but also, the perceived perception of people throughout the media and even, some state and federal elected officials with no connection to Laredo, often confuse the two.
“This negative view of the Texas border with Mexico is a negative view of Texas. It has gone so far as to affect our economic development and success of attracting new business.”
Salinas hopes that the testimony will make an impact in doling out federal funds regarding trade and security, which is often sent to the state before being distributed to local governments. Salinas will return to Laredo this evening.
