Press Release

Rep. Cuellar Announces $442,000 in Federal Funding for Zapata Law Enforcement

Zapata was awarded funds as part of Operation Stonegarden program in the Department of Homeland Security

Zapata, Texas , July 25, 2014

Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) announced that Zapata County has received over $442,000 in federal funds from the Department of Homeland Security’s Stonegarden program to support local law enforcement.  This is a slight increase from the Fiscal Year 2013 amount of $441,000.  Statewide, Texas received $23.1 million law enforcement funding, an increase from $18 million in Fiscal Year 2013. 

“I am pleased to see an across the board increase in federal funding to our local law enforcement through the Stonegarden program,” said Congressman Cuellar.  “These additional funds will help reimburse local law enforcing as they address the humanitarian crisis we are currently facing at our southern border.  As a Member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for increased funding for the men and women who work every day to keep our communities safe. Since 2009, Zapata County has received almost $5 million in Operation Stonegarden funds.  I want to thank the Zapata County Sheriff Alonso Lopez as well as the men and women who secure our communities.” 

The FY 2014 Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) program provides $55,000,000 to enhance cooperation and coordination among local, tribal, territorial, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the United States’ borders along routes of ingress from international borders to include travel corridors in States bordering Mexico and Canada, as well as States and territories with international water borders.

This year, Department of Homeland Security also allocated:

·         ­­Operation Stonegarden, Texas FY 14 $23,124,196

·         Texas: FY13  $19,422,318

·         FY 2014 State Homeland Security Program -  Texas -  $21,448,000  

·         FY 2013 State Homeland Security Program $18,650,481

·         FY 14  Urban Areas Security Initiative –

·         Dallas $15,500,000   

·         Houston: $24,000,000              

·         San Antonio Area  $1,000,000

·         FY 13 Urban Areas Security Initiative –

·         Dallas: $14,622,684;       

·         Houston: $23,936,523  

·         FY 14 Emergency Management Performance Grants Program – Texas: $19,975,395

·         FY13         $18,833,958