Bill Clinton plans visit

Former president set to speak publicly at TAMIU

Bill Clinton is scheduled to visit Laredo this month to attend a private fundraiser and make a public speech at Texas A&M International University, said U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar.

The visit will make up for Clinton’s originally planned Dec. 4 visit, which was postponed due to the death of close friend and former national security advisor Sandy Berger, officials said.

Cuellar, D-Laredo, said a private fundraising event will occur Feb. 22 in support of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign at Cuellar’s Laredo home.

That afternoon, Bill Clinton is set to address students and the public at TAMIU on issues challenging the country, Cuellar said.

“I think it’ll be the first time we have ever had a president or former president at Texas A&M International,” Cuellar said.

“I’m happy he’s going to be going there, and happy he’s coming to Laredo.”

The offices of former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton could not be reached to confirm the event.

Officials at TAMIU could not be immediately reached for comment on Thursday.

Earlier this week, TAMIU spokesman Steve Harmon told Laredo Morning Times he could not confirm Bill Clinton would make an appearance at the university this month.

“The university would, of course, be happy to welcome the former president, should his schedule permit,” Harmon said in an email.

Cuellar did not give details on how many people would be attending the fundraiser, but attendees will be coming from Webb and surrounding counties, he previously said.

Cuellar said he hopes Clinton will address in his speech how to make sure education is affordable, how to maintain the nation’s current rate of job growth and trade, among other issues.

“Some of the biggest job growth in modern history happened under him,” Cuellar said. “We also had a balanced budget and NAFTA, which has been so good for the border area.”

Cuellar previously said he has been a longtime supporter of the Clintons.

He said he was the first congressman to endorse Hillary Clinton, and worked for Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign in Webb County.

He said the Clintons have visited Laredo about three times before — two of those visits were in 2008, he said.

Cuellar said he hopes Hillary Clinton will visit Laredo later this year.

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