Report from Washington
Written by admin, Jan 21, 2012, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas wrapped up his participation at the 80th Winter Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors with a visit to the U.S. State Department to promote Laredo’s efforts to expand the permitted uses of the World Trade Bridge.
Mayor Salinas explained: “While I enjoy being in our nation’s capitol to participate in continuing education efforts, with and from my fellow mayors on how best to serve our citizens, I am also pleased anytime I can do the work of the City of Laredo when in Washington. This trip I was able to meet with not only President Obama, but also Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to discuss Laredo specific initiatives.”
“Both secretaries welcomed my participation in the meeting and expressed their appreciation for the challenges we face on the border and the need for federal investment in our region. Secretary Sebelius was particularly excited to hear about the HHS-Laredo partnerships.”
Salinas also had the opportunity to meet with COPS Director Bernard Melekian, where he was informed that the director plans to visit Laredo. “I was also very excited to learn that his staff has identified Laredo’s COPS program, with its deterrent to cross border violence, as a best practice, so he wants to come down, learn more and highlight our great police department program.”
Mayor Salinas also had a number of conversations with his fellow mayors on how they are meeting challenges in their cities. “It is nice to be able to talk to someone like New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on how he is meeting challenges in his city; it was a rewarding experience to learn that he not only knows of Laredo, but mention friends that he has in the city. Additionally, I was humbled when more than a few mayors expressed their wish that their communities had Laredo’s employment statistics and prospects for the future.”
“I am so proud of Laredo. Our Laredo City Council, City of Laredo staff and the city’s business community have achieved the level of partnerships that other mayors seek to create. In addition, our schools have played a vital role in training a workforce for tomorrow. I hope to share all the ideas that other mayors are considering in their cities with my fellow council members.”
