Dear Friend,
It's been quite busy in both D.C. and the district! As we get closer to the new year, I want to reassure you that I am working my hardest to fight for a relief bill that will help South Texas families overcome the challenges created by this pandemic.
Last week, I led a letter to President-elect Biden, calling for his administration to put an end to the national emergency declaration at the border as well as terminating border wall contracts. By working with the Biden administration, we will restore effective border security policies, which does not include any wasteful border barrier, as well as prioritize saving American lives and jobs during this pandemic.
In the district, I held a press conference to discuss critical authorization funding that I was able to secure for important environmental restoration at Chacon Creek in Laredo. I also visited Laredo's sister-city, Nuevo Laredo, to tour a public security complex. My offices continue to attend events throughout our nine counties. As always, if you need help with any federal agencies, please contact one of my offices.
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On Monday, December 14th, I visited Laredo's sister-city, Nuevo Laredo, for the inaguaration ceremony of a new Tamaulipas Public Safety Security Complex. To strengthen the state's security infrastructure and reinforce public safety, Tamaulipas’ government constructed the Public Safety Security Complexes in five strategic cities: Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Victoria, Altamira and Matamoros. With a capacity for more than a thousand police elements, each of the complexes have dormitories, dining hall, administrative area, gas station, training field and obstacle course. This security complex will strengthen the region, stop violence, and block narcotics and human smuggling.
Pictured is Congressman Cuellar with Tamaulipas Governor Cabeza de Vaca, City of Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz, US Consul General Deanna Kim, and other elected officials as well as officials from CBP, ICE and OFO.
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On Friday, December 11th, the City of Laredo joined me at the Chacon Bat Park to deliver $51,973,000 in authorization funding for the Chacon Creek Restoration Project. This funding was secured through my language in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020. Developing this natural treasure would generate hundreds of acres of new recreational and educational parklands, improving the quality of life for our entire community.
For more information on how this project will focus on flood management, ecosystem restoration and recreational amenities, from Lake Casa Blanca, through Laredo, to the Rio Grande, click here.
To watch the livestream of the press conference, click here.
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While in D.C. last week, I voted to pass the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019, because ALS patients shouldn’t have to wait five months after a diagnosis to be able to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. This bipartisan legislation will remove bureaucratic barriers and provide timely access to SSDI that they deserve.
To learn more about how this act will benefit ALS patients throughout the nation, click here.
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On Monday, December 14th, my Outreach Coordinator for La Salle, Webb, McMullen and Zapata Counties, Orlando Ramirez, attended the La Salle County Encinal Community Center & Library Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Food Drive. At the event, Orlando presented the City of Encinal with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition.
Pictured is Orlando Ramirez and elected officials for the City of Encinal and La Salle County.
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On Thursday, December 10th, my Outreach Coordinator for Starr and Hidalgo Counties, Nicolas Cruz, attended the City of Mission Tree lighting Ceremony. This annual event is one of Mission Mayor O'Cana's special traditions to kick-off the holiday season. In order to ensure everyone's safety this year, the tree lighting ceremony was held virtually.
Pictured from left to right is Mission Councilwoman and Mayor Pro-Tem Jessica Ortega-Ochoa, Nicolas Cruz and Mission Mayor Armando O'Cana.
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On the same day, Nicolas also attended the Salinas Estates Ribbon Cutting, where the City of Sullivan celebrated and welcomed the new subdivision. The new 65-lot subdivision is located south of Expressway 83 on Guadalupe Flores Rd.
Pictured is Nicolas Cruz with City of Sullivan elected-officials.
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On Wednesday, December 9th, my Outreach Coordinator Gilbert Lafuente, presented Poteet Mayor Willie Leal with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition for his critical work in helping with the Atascosa Cowboy Connect Project. This transit system will bring together the three communties of Pleasanton, Jourdanton and Poteet.
Mayor Leal was also recently awarded with the Alamo Area Council of Governments 2020 Government Project of the Year.
Pictured is Gilbert Lafuente with Mayor Leal.
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Don't miss out on a grant opportunity! Attracting more federal funds to the district and region has been a top priority during my tenure in Congress. To better serve you, I want to provide you with information on a variety of open federal grant opportunities in each week's newsletter. To see a previous edition, click here. If you'd like to subscribe to the weekly grants newsletter, please fill out our google doc form.
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Make sure you're protected this holiday season by practicing CDC guidelines. Remember to wear a mask, practice social distancing and stay home when feeling ill.
On this week's video, the CDC explains how to implement their guidelines in your daily lives.
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