Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) praised an Executive Order signed by President Barack Obama today that will help boost tourism and travel and in turn help create jobs and foster economic growth.

“South Texas is one of those ‘best-kept-secret’ regions when it comes to tourist hot-spots, and initiatives that are designed to spur tourism and travel are an excellent way to help showcase these treasures so that they fully emerge as the spectacular sites that they are,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Today’s executive order affirms the tremendous positive impact that tourism has on our national and local economies, and reaffirms that we can protect our homeland and at the same time welcome visitors from all parts of the world.”

Congressman Cuellar’s Congressional Texas District 28 is home to a multitude of tourist and historical sites and festivals that draw thousands of visitors each year. Nestled between Zapata and Starr counties is International Falcon Reservoir, also known as Falcon Lake, which is recognized nationally for its world-class bass fishing. Laredo, Texas, is known for its George Washington birthday celebration, a one-month long series of events that draws in thousands of tourists to attend pageants, parades, a carnival and a bi-national ceremony at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge.

The Rio Grande Valley has an array of tourist sites including a world-class birding destination, the World Birding Center which spreads across cities including Mission, Roma and Hidalgo. Festivals including the Poteet Strawberry Festival in Poteet, Texas, and the Vaquero Festival in Hebbronville, Texas, are laden with tradition and carry with them a tremendous potential to draw visitors from out of town. South Texas is also home to many historical treasures such as the San Ygnacio Historic District in Zapata, Texas, the San Agustin de Laredo Historic District in Laredo, Texas, and the Seguin Commercial Historic District in Seguin, Texas.

The Executive Order calls for various federal agencies to take steps to increase travel and tourism in the United States, including the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Interior, the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security. The new strategy will help improve visa and foreign visitor processing and improve travel promotion while protecting national security.