Eagle Pass and Maverick County Day at State Legislature Celebrated

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

A delegation of City of Eagle Pass and County of Maverick public officials, representatives, and local business, civic, and students participated in the 2015 Eagle Pass and Maverick County Day at the 84th Texas Legislative Session at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas during February 17-18, 2015, hosted by State Senator Carlos I. Uresti (D-San Antonio, District 19).

Among the public officials and representatives that participated in the Eagle Pass and Maverick County Day event included Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu, Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo, Eagle Pass City Council members Gloria E. Hernandez, Rudy Villalpando, and William “Billy” Davis, Maverick County Commissioners Rosy Cantu and Roberto Ruiz, Eagle Pass Independent School District Board of Trustee President Ignacio “Nacho” Saucedo and Trustees Rudy Bowles, Hilda Martinez, Humberto Torralba, and Dr. Hector Alvarez, Eagle Pass Independent School District Superintendent Gilberto Gonzalez, Eagle Pass City Manager Gloria Barrientos, Maverick County Hospital District Chief Executive Officer Terri Contreras-Patlan, Maverick County Hospital District Department Heads Kathy Vidal and Monica Nandin, Maverick County District Clerk Leopoldo “Polo” Vielma, Maverick County Human Resources Director Jesus Sanchez, Hellen Martinez of Senator Uresti’s Office, Mario Pola of United Medical Centers, Raul Perez, Executive Director of Maverick County Development Corporation, Eagle Pass Main Street Director Joe Cruz, Eagle Pass International Bridge System Director Mario Diaz, Maverick County Administrative Assistant Linda Schmerber, the Eagle Pass High School and C. C. Winn High School Mariachi Bands and Band Directors, Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandra Martinez, and many other local business and civic leaders.

The Eagle Pass and Maverick County delegation met with State Senator Carlos I. Uresti on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, who welcomed and hosted them during the event, and then proceeded to meet with State Representative Poncho Nevarez of District 74 (D-Eagle Pass) who presented the delegation with a House of Representatives Resolution honoring Eagle Pass and Maverick County Day at the 84th Texas Legislative Session.

State Senator Carlos I. Uresti recognized the Eagle Pass and Maverick County delegation at the Texas Senate Chamber and thanked all their representatives and participants for their dedication to public service and improving the quality of life of Maverick Countians. Senator Uresti hosted a luncheon for all the Eagle Pass and Maverick County delegation and heard the community’s legislative needs for 2015.

Both the Eagle Pass High School and C.C. Winn High School Mariachi Bands performed a public concert in the Rotunda of the Texas State Capitol in celebration of Eagle Pass and Maverick County Day at the State Legislature, receiving many accolades and compliments from the public visiting the State Capitol.

After the Senator Uresti luncheon, the Eagle Pass and Maverick County delegation participated in numerous events including a Policy Questions and Answers Session, individual Legislative visits with Texas House of Representatives and Senators, state agencies, and a Legislative Reception.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2015, the Eagle Pass and Maverick County delegation participated in a meeting with State Representative Poncho Nevarez to discuss the legislative needs and concerns of our community during the 2015 Texas Legislative Session and met with Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Office to discuss economic development opportunities and funding for our community.

The local delegation also attended a meeting with the office of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to discuss Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for Eagle Pass and Maverick County. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is a state agency within the state of Texas, which is responsible for matters pertaining to agriculture, rural community affairs, and related matters

Another important meeting which the local delegation attended was with the Office of Economic Development Administration (EDA). The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides grants and technical assistance to economically distressed communities in order to generate new employment, help retain existing jobs and stimulate industrial and commercial growth through a variety of investment programs.

One of the highlights for the local delegation was to personally attend and hear Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s first State of the State address in which he addressed the future of the state and presented his vision for the state of Texas during his administration.

Mayor Ramsey English Cantu stated Governor Abbott presented four emergency priorities for the state of Texas including Pre-K through 12th grade education, higher education, transportation funding for roads and highways, and increased Border security funding.”

“We met with Texas Department of Transportation Chief Engineer Bill Hale and discussed the need for funding and how proposition No. 1 funds need to be considered for the area of Maverick County highways,” added Mayor Cantu.

Mayor Cantu stated that the delegation also met with Michael Berry, Deputy Commissioner for the Texas Education Agency, to speak of education priorities for the district and higher education needs for our colleges.

Another meeting that was very important was with Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Chris Taylor. “It was a very productive meeting as Mr. Taylor had an opportunity to understand the needs of our healthcare system in Eagle Pass and Maverick County and how we can further enhance residency programs to develop a plan for doctors to consider Eagle Pass and Maverick County,” added Mayor Cantu.

Individual delegation participants also personally visited different Texas House of Representatives and Senators to present and discuss the community’s needs and concerns regarding various issues such as public education, law enforcement, border security, health care, economic development, judicial system and support services, and many other issues.

“Numerous other visits were made to several other senate and representative offices who sit on the finance and education committees,” said Mayor Cantu. The delegation visit was a great success.