Mayor Salinas Travels to San Diego to Promote Cross-Border Cooperation
Written by admin, Aug 25, 2012, 0 Comments
City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas was in San Diego, California yesterday meeting with 25 of his fellow United States and Mexican border mayors at a meeting hosted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“I think that it is wonderful that we could have such a large turn-out of mayors from both sides of the border,” said Mayor Salinas. “The numbers were just about evenly split between the two countries, with Texas, Arizona and California mayors present. Our goal is to speak with one strong voice in a bi-partisan and bi-national manner on issues that affect both sides of this dynamic border.”
The purpose of the meeting was to address border crossing, security and infrastructure needs as a means to promote trade development. Mayor Salinas explained “Most people do not understand that we transact one billion dollars a day in trade with Mexico; 60% of that crosses through the Port of Laredo. With that kind of commerce being conducted, it is imperative that we have ongoing dialogue not only between Washington, D.C. and Mexico City, but also, that business and political leaders at the local level are fully committed to supporting this very rich and time -partnership. One of the products of this meeting will be a formal statement of support for legislation authored by Laredo’s own U.S. congressman, Representative Henry Cuellar and U.S. Texas Senator John Cornyn that would facilitate public-private partnerships for developing port infrastructure in the absence of sufficient government funds.”
The mayor added, “I was especially pleased to see my old friend Alan Bersin. Laredo came to know Assistant Secretary Bersin when he served as Commissioner of U.S. Customs & Border Protection, and we are grateful that President Obama’s Administration has retained his services as Assistant Secretary of International Affairs for DHS. Secretary Bersin understands the border, and shares Laredo’s view that we need to build bridges of friendship, not walls. In his new role as Chief Diplomatic Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, he can help all of us achieve that vision.”
“Laredo has long enjoyed our relations with DHS. We are pleased that Acting CBP Commissioner David V. Aguilar calls Laredo home, and it was wonderful to reconnect with Thomas Winkowski, Acting CBP Deputy Commissioner, as well as with Assistant Secretary Betsy Markey.”
Mayor Salinas continued: “Laredo has worked equally hard to develop relations in Mexico City. Laredo business and political leaders have all spent time with Mexico’s President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto. We look forward to building on those relations.”
