Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition Winter Meeting to be held in Eagle Pass

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber announced that the 2015 Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition Winter Meeting is being held in Eagle Pass, Texas during January 13-15, 2015 at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Hotel & Casino with over 20 Texas counties’ Sheriffs participating.

The Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition was founded in 2005 by El Paso County Sheriff Leo Samaniego to represent the law enforcement and security needs of all Texas-Mexico Border Sheriff’s Departments. Since its founding in 2005, the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition helped found the Southwestern Border Sheriff’s Coalition representing over 90 counties on the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California to represent the needs and concerns of all U.S.-Mexico border Sheriff’s Departments.

“We are extremely honored to be hosting the event and look forward to hearing the important presentations by members of the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition and public representatives during the three day conference. The Coalition is important because it allows all U.S.-Mexico border Sheriff’s Departments to remain in communication and advocate for the security needs of our U.S.-Mexico border communities. Our Coalition members are at the forefront of law enforcement and security on the U.S.-Mexico border,” said Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber.

The conference commences on Tuesday, January 13th, with registration at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Hotel & Casino from 3 P.M. to 7 P.M. and a dinner at 6 P.M. Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber is hosting dinner at a local Maverick County ranch.

On Wednesday, January 14th, the conference will resume with late registrations from 8 A.M. to 10 A.M. at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Hotel & Casino Conference Center. At 10 A.M., the Opening Ceremony will commence with a welcome from host Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber, the posting of the colors, the pledge of allegiance by TBSC Chairman Rick McIvor, an opening prayer by Chaplain Pedro Hernandez, and opening remarks by Rockwall County Sheriff Harold Eavenson, Vice-President of the National Sheriff’s Association. At 10:30 A.M., local, state, and federal representatives will address the convention delegates, including State Senator Carlos I. Uresti, State Representative Poncho Nevarez, U.S. Representative Will Hurd (invited), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Chief Kevin W. Oaks, Adjutant.

Following a luncheon, the conference will discuss important issues affecting the U.S.-Mexico border Sheriff’s Departments, including the Texas Border Patrol Bill, an examination of the needs and concerns of each border county, the TBSC’s annual trip to Washington, D.C. to advocate for U.S.-Mexico border law enforcement and security issues and funding, the possible approval of resolutions concerning border security issues, and an open forum on the latest U.S.-Mexico border law enforcement and security issues.
A dinner will follow with a presentation by retired Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez.

On Thursday, January 15th, the conference continues with a breakfast at 8 A.M. followed with a presentation at 9 A.M. by Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Chief Kim Vickers regarding Sheriff’s Training Issues in 2015. At 10:30 A.M., Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw will host a roundtable discussion regarding the State of Texas response and funding for Texas-Mexico border security issues. The conference concludes with a farewell lunch at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Hotel & Casino Conference Center.

The Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition works with the Texas Governor’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety on the state’s Texas Border Watch Operation, a state grant of over $2 million.

The Eagle Pass Business Journal welcomes the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition members to its 2015 Winter Conference in Eagle Pass, Texas and wishes them an outstanding and successful conference.