Congressional Redistricting splits Maverick County into two districts

The Republican Texas House of Representatives and Senate majority have gerrymandered Maverick County into two congressional districts as a result of the 2010 United States Census in Texas in order to protect and preserve their incumbent Republican United States House of Representatives seats according to the newly-approved Congressional redistricting plan.

The newly approved Congressional redistricting plan splits Maverick County down Main Street in Eagle Pass with the people living north of Main Street belonging to District 23 currently held by Republican Tea Party Congressman Quico Canseco of San Antonio, Texas while residents living south of main Street will be assigned to District 28 currently held by Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar of Laredo, Texas. Congressman Henry Cuellar visited Eagle Pass and Maverick County on Monday, June 20, 2011, at 5 P.M. at the Maverick County Courthouse as a courtesy meet and greet visit.

Congressman Cuellar advised the over 50 persons in attendance that the newly-approved Congressional redistricting plan is being challenged legally in federal court in Texas and a final decision may not be made until September or October of this year.

He stated if the new Congressional redistricting survives the legal challenge, then he looks forward to representing Maverick Countians. He described himself as a conservative Blue Dog Democrat with a 100% voting record in support of United States Veterans and Homeland Security issues.

Maverick County veterans attended the meeting and V.F.W. member Ruben Salazar solicited Congressman’s Cuellar’s support to reverse a new U.S. Veterans Administration’s ruling requiring Maverick County veterans to now go to Harlingen, Texas for medical treatment instead of San Antonio or Kerrville and to establish a Veterans medical clinic in Eagle Pass to avoid traveling out-of-town.

Cuellar replied he would research the requests and check with the U.S. Veterans Administration Director.

Maverick County Hospital District Chief Executive Officer, Elcira Bares, advised Cuellar they were willing to provide a local medical clinic for Maverick County Veterans if he assisted them getting approval from the Veterans Administration. Cuellar responded he would research the issue and get back to Bares.

United Medical Centers Chief Executive Officer George Kypuros advised Cuellar that UMC had last a specific earmark funding due to the Republican Tea Party cuts that would have built a new medical clinic in southern Maverick County and that he welcomed a change of Congressional leadership in the community.

Maverick County Republican Party Chairman Jose Reyna offered to help Cuellar should he become the new Congressman for Maverick County despite being a member of the Republican Party.

Reyna also solicited Cuellar’s support in opposing the Dos Republicas Coal partnership coal mine, which Cuellar replied he had just read about the Mexican-owned coal mine project in a newspaper.

Maverick County Judge David Saucedo welcomed Congressman Cuellar and pledged his support to Cuellar should he become Maverick County’s new Congressman.