by Legislative Media | Apr 8, 2011 | Politics
Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, center, and Terry Burkett, chairman of the Outreach Veteran Committee for the Texas Capitol Vietnam War Monument Committee, on Wednesday, March 30, are featured reviewing the cast model for a planned $1 million monument, to be located on the Texas Capitol grounds, which will pay tribute to Texas veterans who served in America’s longest war. Earlier that day, the Texas Senate approved Hinojosa’s Senate Resolution 649, which celebrated March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day. In a related measure, Gov. Rick Perry, also on Thursday, March 24, signed House Concurrent Resolution 56 by Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission, and Hinojosa, who served as a Marine combat squad leader in Vietnam, recognizing Saturday, April 9 as Welcome Home South Texas Vietnam Veterans Day. Muñoz said HCR 56 also is intended to draw more attention to the major celebration – which is free and open to the public – which will be held at the McAllen Convention Center on Saturday, April 9. See stories on the both measures later in this posting.
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Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, featured on Friday, March 25, speaking from the podium in the Speakers Committee Room at the State Capitol, praises the House passage of Senate Bill 14, the so-called "Voter ID Bill", which would require Texas voters to provide one of several government-issued photo IDs, such as a Texas drivers license, before being allowed to cast a ballot at a polling place. Peña, surrounded by fellow Republican House members, contends the measure is part of several major pieces of legislation he will support this spring to crack down of voter fraud. However, his support for the voter ID bill was not shared by the rest of the Valley’s state representative delegation, including Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission, and Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, who issued their own statements detailing the reasons for voting against the voter ID measure. That legislation now goes to a conference committee made up of five senators and five state representatives who must hammer out differences between the version approved by the Senate earlier this month, and the version approved by the House on March 24. See related stories later in this posting.
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American Electric Power representatives Ben Crandall and Ryan Smith on March 8 presented a $17,371.50 energy savings incentive check to the Edinburg school board during its regular meeting. Accepting the check were board members Jaime Chavana, Juan “Sonny” Palacios, Carmen González, David Torres, Robert Pena, Jr., and Dr. Martín Castillo as well as Superintendent of Schools Dr. René Gutiérrez, Robert Estrada, district architect, René Olivarez, district engineer, and Mario Salinas, assistant superintendent for District Administration. The incentive check, which comes through AEP’s 2010 Entergy Texas SCORE Program (Schools Conserving Resources) program, rewarded the district for choosing to install energy-efficient appliances The SCORE Program provides support to select school districts and higher education partners through energy performance benchmarking, energy master planning, and cash incentives for SCORE participants who complete projects that result in peak demand savings.
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Sgt. Patricio Castañeda, a Weslaco native, was a combat soldier in Vietnam. Lyndon B. Johnson was our president at the time. The two come together in the locally-produce play, Pat & Lyndon, which began in Pharr on Thursday, April 7. In the performance, produced by Pedro García, a wide array of characters, portrayed by the actors featured in this photograph, is at the Café Saigon and in their own backyards. Pat dreamed of a family life and Lyndon had nearly 500,000 soldiers deployed. Together they share their lives, their views and their experiences of this controversial time. Join the Pharr Community Theatre (PCT), 203 West Park Avenue in Pharr, on April 7 through 16, and again on May 19 through 22, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Advanced tickets are recommended (80 seats available per show) and can be purchased at the theatre Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and noon, or call Carol at 956/460-5473 or 956/783-7746. Tickets are $7 apiece. Featured, from left: Abelardo "Cha Cha" Jiménez; Kenny Reyes; Robert Martínez; Omar Treviño; Lassiter Holmes (who portrays President Johnson); Cecilia Hinojosa; Noel A. Reyna (who portrays Sgt. Castañeda); Araceli Casares; Rigo Ordaz; Armandina Sesin; Daniel Román; José E. Martínez; and Viridiana Garza. Kneeling, from left, are: Emily May-G. and Rebeca Ortiz.
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Area residents who were near South Texas College’s Technology Campus in McAllen on Thursday, April 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. may have noticed a slight pink glow covering the buildings. Why? It was Ladies Night on campus and the facilities were flush with Valley women enjoying an evening of fun, fashion, refreshments and career exploration. Admission was free and open to the public. Some of the women of STC’s Technology Campus showed their pink power ahead of the college’s April 7 event, including, featured from left: Irma Rosales, STC Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) instructor; Esmeralda Adame, STC precision manufacturing instructor; Laura Salas, STC CADD instructor; Margarita Vanguelova, STC CADD instructor; and Sara Lozano, STC CADD instructor. See story later in this posting.
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Depression and Alzheimer’s will be some of the topics that will be covered at the South Texas Senior Summit – hosted by the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce through its Health Committee – on Friday, April 29. Dr. César A. Matos will address those related issues in English and Spanish during the morning portion of the gathering, which is free and open to the public. A free lunch, sponsored by HEB, also will be provided for residents who attend the sessions, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Palm View Community Center, 3401 Jordan Avenue in McAllen. Matos, who will be one of several medical professionals who will make presentations during the day, received his education at the University of Puerto Rico, University Autónoma of Guadalajara, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, University of Florida and the New York Psychiatric Institute. He began his practice in New York in 1983 and established his private practice in McAllen in August 1992. He is currently the General Medical Director for the South Texas Behavioral Health Center in Edinburg. The public is invited to register and also learn about Medicare/Medicaid, senior abuse and crimes against the elderly. Exhibitors will be available giving out information and marketing items that are useful to all seniors. In addition, free eye exams, foot exams, glucose and blood pressure readings will be made available at no cost to the audience. For more information and/or to register, residents and prospective exhibitors may contact the RGV Hispanic Chamber at 928-0060. Sponsorships and exhibit space are still available. Committee members featured with Matos are, from left: Lidia Limas, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; Delia Estrada, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; Norma Brewster, Office of Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes; Dr. César A. Matos; Cynthia M. Sakulenzki, president and CEO of the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and Adelita Muñoz, Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
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Edinburg High School senior Audrie Vela, a Senior Cross Country Athlete, recently signed a National Letter Of Intent to run cross country and track at Texas A&M University-Commerce for the fall of 2011. Featured on her big day are, front row, from left: Carlos Vela; Audrie Vela; Rachel Mascorro; and Ernie Mascorro. Standing, from left: Joe Filoteo, the athletic director for the Edinburg school district; and Tencha Lancaster, cross country track coach for EHS.
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by Legislative Media | Mar 10, 2011 | Politics
Edinburg’s top elected and economic development officials, along with leaders with Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, on Thursday, March 3, participated in the groundbreaking of the $9 million Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance (ECCR). Located near the intersection of McColl and Dove in the southwest portion of the city – and adjacent to northeast McAllen – the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance will be used for an assortment of activities, all aimed to enrich the medical community and the public at large. “The Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance is a place where doctors and other health care practitioners from throughout South Texas will come together to hear from the leading experts in medicine and health care,” said Mayor Richard García. “Already, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance is recognized as one of the leading hospitals in Texas, and this facility will further enhance its ability to bring world-class health care to Edinburg and to the entire region. In the end everybody benefits, the doctors, the patients, and the community.” Featured, from left: Mayor Pro Tem Agustín "Gus" García, Jr.; Councilmember Noé Garza, P.E.; Mark S. Peña, a member of the Board of Directors of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation; Councilmember Gene Espinoza; Fred Palacios, the secretary/treasurer for the Board of Directors of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation; and Pedro Salazar, executive director of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation. See story in this posting.
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The 38,000-square-foot Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance (ECCR), for which ground was broken on Thursday, March 3, will provide unparalleled architectural amenities. EECR will house an auditorium with stadium seating for 1,000 individuals, along with two multi-purpose rooms, each with seating for up to 250 people. The auditorium will feature a 3,100-square-foot main stage, a state-of-the-art sound system, theatrical LED lighting, and satellite broadcasting capabilities. The EECR will host meetings, lectures, community events, and patient education forums. The conference center is also designed to hold musical and theatrical performances. “The construction of the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance is evidence of the way our community can work together to build a center that will further our ability to share knowledge with the cities we serve,” said Carlos J. Cárdenas, MD, the chairman of the Board of Directors of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance. "The City of Edinburg is a driving force in providing the best for people in our community, which includes the best educational opportunities, entertainment, and the most advanced health services in the Rio Grande Valley.” As part of a more than $2 million investment by the city into the public/private partnership with Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, Edinburg will be able to secure usage of the complex for a wide range of events. See story later in this posting.
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Who would have thought that a phone call from Three Rivers, Texas in 1949 would spark the Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement? No one was more surprised than Sara Posas, featured second from right, who is the sister-in-law of Pvt. Félix Longoria. She was a special guest-speaker at the opening of the recent National Association of Chicana and Chicano Studies Tejas Regional Conference held at the South Texas College Pecan Campus Library Rainbow Room. The opening night of the 2011 NACCS Conference kicked off with the standing room only film screening and roundtable discussion of The Longoria Affair. The discussion brought together Posas with film director and writer John Valadez, Wanda García, daughter of civil rights pioneer Dr. Héctor P. García, and Marianne Bueno of North Texas University. At the conclusion of the film screening, Posas reminisced about the events that transpired after the death of her brother-in-law in World War II. She talked about the return of his remains to Three Rivers for a proper burial and the subsequent denial by the funeral parlor because “the white people wouldn’t like it.” She offered her sister help in the form of a call to Dr. García, which she accepted, and the rest is history. “I was at the right place, at the right time,” Posas explained. “All I did was make a phone call. I called my hero, Dr. Héctor P. García.” Featured, from left: the 2011 National Association of Chicana and Chicano Studies Tejas Regional Conference opening keynote panel on The Longoria Affair included film director and writer John Valadez; Marianne Bueno of The University of North Texas, Félix Longoria’s sister-in-law Sara Posas; and Wanda García, the activist daughter of civil rights pioneer Dr. Héctor P. García. See story later in this posting.
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The Boys and Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV are expressing their appreciation to the planning committee of Canada’s Hands Across the Border dinner and Victoria Palms Resort for their contribution of $1,145 towards youth development programs for youths served by the organization. The Boys and Girls Club RGV, which has played an integral role for 40 years in helping develop and guide tens of thousands of young residents, offers programs that emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, and sport, fitness and recreation. Featured are some of the members of the Victoria Palms Resort and planning committee for Canada’s Hands Across the Border, from left: Sherry Morgan, manager for Victoria Palms Resort; Don and Sarah Mackenzie; Sabrina Walker-Hernández, chief professional officer for the Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg RGV; Marion Arnold; and Rosie and Gerry Culhane. Not pictured are George Arnold and Brian Smith.
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Approximately 50 percent of the residents of the Rio Grande Valley aged 25 and older have not earned a high school diploma, much less college credits. Of that 50 percent, approximately one half have earned a ninth grade education. “When you are confronted with this data, it is startling and causes serious concern,” said Dr. Shirley A. Reed, president of South Texas College. “That is why we continue to host our annual Summit on College Readiness. Collectively, we have to do more to stress the importance of education, because the journey to college must begin the day a child is born. Our region will simply not continue to prosper if we don’t develop a high skill, competitive, and educated workforce, which includes all deep South Texans.” More than 260 attendees from all levels of education from across the region, state and nation gathered in late February to face the hard facts at STC’s summit. Featured, from left: Luzelma Canales, STC interim dean of Community Engagement; Jonathan Arteaga, McAllen High School AVID Program student; and STC President Shirley A. Reed. See story later in this posting.
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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV recently announced that as a result of grant from Hochheim Prairie Insurance, Evangelina Cantú and César Mercado – two members of the local group’s TeenSupreme Program – on Monday, February 28 and Tuesday, March 1, attended the 2011 Boys & Girls Clubs of America Texas Alliance and Youth Competition in Austin. Both local residents had earlier been named Youth of the Year for their local Edinburg Units, Club 2020 El Tule and San Carlos, respectively, and attended the Austin trip to visit the capital, the University of Texas, and the Youth of the Year luncheon, where the state finalist was named. The keynote speaker at this luncheon was Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen. Featured, from left: Ella de la Rosa and Judi Flowers, members of the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV; Araceli Valencia, local program supervisor teens; María Medina, local director of operations; Evangelina Cantú, one of the two local Youth of the Year; Eduardo Villanueva, a member of the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV; Sabrina Walker-Hernández, chief professional officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV; César Mercado, the second of the two local Youth of the Year; and Rep. Verónica Gonzáles. See story later in this posting.
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Want to be part of an award-winning chamber of commerce? The board of directors of the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently finalized their spring membership drive, which was set for Tuesday, March 8 and Wednesday, March 9. The event was open to the public. Individuals unable to attend the early-March membership drive may still contact the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for needed materials by calling 928-0060. Featured, from left, promoting the spring membership drive are: Armando Garza, chair; Marti Miller, vice chair of membership; Dr. Robert Nelsen, president of the University of Texas-Pan American, who also serves as vice chair of education; Jenise Díaz, vice chair of public relations; Mario Garza, vice chair of health; and Cynthia M. Sakulenzki, president and CEO of the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. See story later in this posting.
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Magee Elementary staff members Lorenzo Flores and Gloria Garza, along with students Juan Lara and Annette Pérez, get ready to raise an honor flag given to their school during a recent special flag ceremony. During a lesson on patriotism last fall, Magee students decided to write letters to American troops in Afghanistan that could be included in care packages they were sending to the soldiers for Christmas. When Commander Richard Nalwasksy, the commander of the American troops in northern Afghanistan, received the care packages and letters, he wrote Marla Cavazos, Magee principal, and the students thanking them for the uplifting gesture. The American troops were so motivated by what the students did that they decided to fly an American flag over their base in Afghanistan in honor of Magee Elementary. Magee Elementary staff and students held a flag ceremony to raise the honor flag. Cavazos said the students learned about social studies, honor, community and patriotism.
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The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and http://www.EDBGCityLimits.com on Tuesday, March 22, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., will host a seminar titled Marketing your Business during Hard Economic Times. This presentation will provide area residents important tips on marketing – on a modest budget – their business through social networks, radio, television and newsprint media through DIY (Do it yourself) networking. Some guest speakers include Elizabeth C. Martínez with Media Morphosis, Lebby Salinas and Shaine Mata from Social Media Network, and others. All businesses go through budget crunches and economic woes as they struggle to gain notice to news, events and finding ways to attract new clients without having to spend. This event, which is available for a $10 cost per individual, will be held in the Edinburg Depot, located at 602 West University Drive. The fee also will cover the costs for lunch, refreshments and door prizes. Individuals are encouraged to bring their business cards for networking purposes. Featured promoting the event are, from left: Elizabeth C. Martínez from Media Morphosis; Letty Reyes with the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation; Evana Vleck with the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; and Lebby Salinas and Shaine Mata with Social Media Networking. To RSVP attendance, please call 956/383-4974.
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by Legislative Media | Feb 22, 2011 | Politics
Edinburg and South Texas picked up another high-quality sports team on Friday, February 18, with the announcement that the Rio Grande Valley Grandes Football Club, which will develop and showcase talent for the United Soccer Leagues (USL), will play its inaugural season at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. Mayor Richard H. García, featured second from right, led off the February 18 press conference before a standing-room only audience of area news media representatives, top city staff, and team supporters, praising the arrival of high-caliber soccer, the world’s most popular sport – and for which interest has grown rapidly since the 1990s in the United States – to the three-time All-America City. "South of here we have basketball and hockey," the mayor noted, referring to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, respectively, which call the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo their home. "In Edinburg, we have great baseball teams with the Edinburg Roadrunners and the University of Texas-Pan American Broncs, of which we are very proud, and they are doing a great job for us. Now we have the RGV Grandes with their ties to the largest professional and amateur soccer network in the nation." Featured, from left: Carlos Sánchez, RGV Grandes operations manager; Robinson Laraga, RGV Grandes vice-president; Ramiro Garza, Jr., Edinburg city manager; Jose Ignacio Larraga, RGV Grandes president; Mayor Richard H. García; and Esequiel "Zeke" Morales, RGV Grandes general manager. See story later in this posting.
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The Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (RGVHCC) on Tuesday, February 15, announced the 2011 Business Awards at their Annual Business Awards & Installation Dinner, which was held at the Embassy Suites in McAllen. In addition, U.S. Judge Randy Crane of McAllen swore in the RGVHCC’s new incoming Board of Directors for 2011-2012: Mario Garza, vice chair of Health; Marti Miller, vice chair of Membership; Rick Álvarez, vice chair of Government Affairs; Pepe Cabeza de Vaca, vice chair of International Affairs; Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, the president of the University of Texas-Pan American, vice chair of Education; and Armando Garza, the incoming Chairman of the RGVHCC Board of Directors. Receiving the 2011 Business Awards were, featured from left: Jesús “Chuy” Negrete, Volunteer of the Year; Yoli González, owner of R&D Personnel, Business Woman of the Year; Pepe Cabeza de Vaca, owner of Socialife, Small Corporation of the Year; and Carter Huber, general manager of Glazer’s Distributing, Large Corporation of the Year.
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Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo/McAllen, featured here at his Capitol office in Washington, D.C. on Friday, February 10, with Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade, has announced that women-owned small businesses can begin taking steps to participate in a new federal contracting program under the U.S. Small Business Administration. The new Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program will be implemented over the next several months, with the first contracts expected to be awarded by the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. “As our economy continues to recover, we must provide emerging small business with the tools they need to be successful and to take their business to the next level,” said Cuellar. “This program is a great boost for women-owned small businesses to equal access in contracting opportunities and increases chances of winning federal contracts. America’s women-owned businesses can lead to further job creation and flourish in this demanding time.” See story on the WOSB program later in this posting.
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In honor of Black History Month, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edinburg RGV celebrates cultural diversity through the arts and spent some extra time learning about the extraordinary accomplishments of African-Americans. February began with a craft series, designed to show young residents a creative way for understanding about each other’s differences and how it can lead to intolerance, suspicion, and even violence. The activities culminate with an exhibition scheduled for Monday, February 21 through February 25 at the Dustin Sekula Memorial Library of more than 10 artworks by several club members depicting their perspectives on Black America. All area residents are invited to view the Art Exhibit during the library’s working business hours. "While we are highlighting the importance of African-American contributions during Black History month, the Boys & Girls Clubs in Edinburg on a year-round basis offer programs that speak to diversity, culture and issues of belonging," said Sabrina Walker-Hernández, chief professional officer for the local Boys & Girls Club.
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Johnny G. Economedes High School (JEHS) has been named an AVID (Achievement Via Individual Determination) National Demonstration School for the 2010-2011 school year. The prestigious National Demonstration School distinction recognizes JEHS’s AVID program as an exemplary model. AVID National and Regional staff recently visited JEHS to conduct a series of evaluations of the school’s AVID program prior to naming it a National Demonstration School. Featured displaying the banner recognizing JEHS as a National Demonstration School are, from left: Cynthia Walls, JEHS AVID coordinator/testing facilitator; Antonio Ballesteros, JEHS assistant principal; Santa Alvarado, ECISD AVID district director and ECISD area director; Gloria C. Rivera, JEHS principal; Liz Rusk, AVID Center; Vivian Shaw, AVID Center; Dr. Wendell Brown, AVID Texas state director; and Maria Luisa Guerra, assistant superintendent for Instruction and Support Services. See story later in this posting.
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Located on FM 2812, immediately east of the interstate-level U.S. Highway 281, the Rio Grande Produce Park – featured here with an artist’s rendition of one of the planned facilities – will eventually transform an 87-acre tract of land into a privately-owned, $100 million, state-of-the-art produce distribution complex that will be used to safely store and transfer agricultural imports coming from Mexico to the rest of the U.S. By the fall of 2011, city leaders say the Rio Grande Produce Park will create 200 jobs when the first of nine advanced refrigeration facilities for Mexican produce opens for business. Plans for Rio Grande Produce Park, unveiled by developer José Luis González – who also is the leader for his Chicago-based Don Hugo Produce, Inc. – call for 800 jobs to eventually anchor the major agricultural distribution center, which should boast about one million square feet of refrigerated-storage facilities. "We are the best at what we do when it comes to creating jobs, and it’s a fantastic achievement for the City of Edinburg, and one that I am very, very proud of," said Mayor Pro-Tem Agustin "Gus" García, Jr., focusing on the produce park, along with the Santana Textiles and Teleperformance USA, as the most recent examples of job-creating successes. The timetable for completion of the Rio Grande Produce Park is about five to seven years. The produce park is a direct result of the ongoing construction of the $1.2 billion Mazatlán-Durango Highway in western Mexico, set for completion in 2012, from where major produce imports to the United States through Edinburg will be made much safer upon completion of that superhighway. See story on the highway and the produce center in the lead story.
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by Legislative Media | Feb 8, 2011 | Politics
Following statewide power outages last week as a result of a massive winter storm that impacted much of the nation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Monday, February 7, said that two Senate panels will review the event and determine what changes need to be made to ensure the reliability of electricity in Texas. Very cold weather was blamed for more than 80 generation stations in Texas going down on Wednesday, February 2, causing periodic blackouts around the state due to the loss of capacity. Dewhurst said he has charged Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, chairman of the Business and Commerce Committee, and Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, who chairs the Natural Resources Committee, to hold a joint session to hear testimony regarding the issue. The joint meeting will try and find the root cause of the problem, and what Texas power generators can do to prevent future outages. "I think the operators understand that they're on the hook to supply power and it's not there," Dewhurst said. "We're going to look at the market and make sure that it works so that people have dependable, predictable electricity. If certain changes have to be made, then we'll consider those." In a winter marked by several crippling storms, the storm of February 1–2, 2011, stands out. Heavy snow, ice, freezing rain, and frigid wind battered about two thirds of the United States, making it “a winter storm of historic proportions,” said the National Weather Service. This image from the NOAA-NASA GOES 13 satellite shows the giant storm developing and moving across the country between January 31 and February 2.
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Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, on Thursday, January 27, proudly tried his hand at singing in the State Capitol rotunda with the renowned University of Texas-Pan American Mariachi Aztlán as part of UT-Pan American Day. Nearly 100 UTPA faculty, staff, students and alumni participated in the legislative lobbying effort to help convince state lawmakers, who are facing up to a $27 billion state budget shortfall, to avoid inflicting severe reductions in state money for key university programs and student scholarships. Hinojosa confirmed the Valley delegation's support for access to higher education opportunities. "I am what I am today because of UT-Pan American and we will make sure that UTPA gets the funding it needs," Hinojosa said. "The university expands horizons of many South Texas students, it creates opportunity and fulfills dreams." Also featured in the background are Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, who is facing Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, president of The University of Texas-Pan American. "Education changes lives and families," Gonzáles said."We will fight for funding so you and future generations can continue to go to college … because education is the key to success." See story later in this posting.
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Dr. Shirley A. Reed, president of South Texas College, lobbied state lawmakers on Friday, January 21, at the STC Starr County campus in Rio Grande City when several dozen legislators were participating in a legislative trip sponsored by the Valley Partnership. Reed, featured here addressing Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, center, and Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, fears that initial state budgets prepared by the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, would have a dramatic negative effect on the two-county community college system. "For South Texas College specifically, the cuts in the preliminary budgets mean that overall we would see our projected funding from the state decrease by anywhere from 12 to 17 percent," said Reed. "Already our students are burdened by paying a little more than 42 percent of our $133 million a year operating budget." Reed details her concerns in a column that she has sent out to the area news media, and which is included later in this posting.
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As an influential delegation of political, business and community leaders were in Austin on Wednesday, February 2, to accept congratulatory resolutions in both legislative chambers honoring the City of Palms on its 100th anniversary, they left much more than their calling cards and gift baskets with the Texas Legislature. They submitted a long list of legislative priorities, which includes the city's support for state-sanctioned gambling in McAllen, beefed-up border security measures, more money for its emerging University of Texas-Pan American teaching site, and additional university-level degree programs at South Texas College. Featured on the Senate floor following passage of a legislative resolution honoring McAllen on its centennial are, from left: Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville; Steve Alhenius, president and CEO, McAllen Chamber of Commerce; Don King, chairman of the Board of Directors, McAllen Economic Development Corporation; Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst; Bob McCreery, member of the Board of Directors, McAllen Chamber of Commerce; McAllen District 5 City Commissioner John J. Ingram; McAllen District 2 City Commissioner Marcus C. Barrera; and Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen. See story later in this posting.
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Diana Peña, vice president of finance and administrative services for South Texas College, on Monday, January 24, was honored by the STC Board of Trustees for her more than 12 years of dedicated service to the college. She retired from her full-time position at the end of January, but will remain on a part-time consulting basis. Peña, a Rio Grande City native, has been with the college since 1998. She oversaw a variety of crucial services that ensure the college runs and functions on a daily basis, including maintenance, facilities, security, human resources and all financial and business functions, excluding financial aid. She managed an annual budget of more than $130 million. Featured, front row, from left: Rose Benavidez, STC board vice-president; Diana Peña; STC President Shirley A. Reed; Gary Gurwitz, STC board chairman; and Roy De León, STC board trustee. Featured, back row, from left: STC board trustees Dr. Alejo Salinas Jr., Jesse Villarreal, and Óscar Longoria Jr., who also serves as STC board secretary. See story later in this posting.
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The Texas House of Representatives on Thursday, January 27, approved two resolutions – one designating UT-Pan American Day at the Texas Capitol, and a second measure honoring Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, president of the University of Texas-Pan American – which were jointly authored by the the majority of the Valley's state House legislative delegation. A nearly 100-member delegation of UTPA officials, students and alumni gathered at the Capitol to lobby lawmakers, urging them to protect state funding for the largest university south of San Antonio. Featured presenting the two measures – House Resolution 221 and House Resolution 222 – before the full House were, from left: Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen; Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas; Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission; Rep. José Manuel Lozano, D-Kingsville; Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, D-San Benito; Rep. Armando "Mando" Martínez, D-Weslaco; and Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg. See story later in this posting.
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by Legislative Media | Jan 18, 2011 | Politics
As powerful special interest groups, wealthy lobbyists, political operatives, and literally thousands of other Texans from all walks of life descend upon the Texas Legislature during the next five months, the City of Edinburg and the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation will be presenting their own legislative wish list designed to improve the quality of life for its constituents. All three members of Edinburg’s state legislative delegation – including, featured here, from left: Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen, and Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen – as well as Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, are ready to help promote the city’s legislative agenda, which includes more than 40 measures. "As county seat, as a center of higher and public education, and as a growing leader in health care and economic development, Edinburg has been an effective player in the legislative process," said Hinojosa. "They know how to work with their legislative delegations, both in Austin and in Washington, D.C., they are well-respected by the state’s top legislative leadership, and they always come to the table well-prepared and ready to advocate for and protect their citizens’ best interests." Also featured with the two legislators during this October function in Edinburg are Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan L. Hecht and Mario Hinojosa, administrator for the Edinburg law office of Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission. See lead story in this posting.
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Edinburg school district South Middle School math teacher, Jennifer Alaniz-López, featured center, was the recipient of a $2,000 Classroom Energy Innovation Grant sponsored by First Choice Power. The grant called for teachers to submit proposals concerning special energy-related projects in the classroom. "Teachers have the power to engage their students’ minds and imaginations, but because of budget shortages, it is often difficult for them to implement projects that require additional funds," said Brian Hayduk, president, First Choice Power. "This grant program allows teachers to provide something special for their students, making energy an exciting topic in the classroom." Also participating in the grant presentation were Sonia Guajardo-López, representing First Choice Power, and Anthony Garza, the principal of South Middle School.
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Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, featured left, stands with UTPA President Robert S. Nelsen during a moment of silence in honor of the six people who were killed and several who were injured, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, in the January 8 shooting in Tucson, Arizona. Hinojosa held a press conference at UTPA on Wednesday, January 12 to address what measures Congress is taking in light of the incident. Hinojosa told a packed room inside the university’s International Trade and Technology building’s International Room that he would be meeting with the U.S. Marshals, FBI, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies to determine what security measures can be taken to ensure that constituents and others who attend public events he holds for them will be safe. See story later in this posting.
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Jacob De León from Memorial Funeral Home presents a sponsorship check to Letty González for Fiesta Edinburg 2011, which is being organized by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. In conjunction, Fiesta Edinburg has announced that New Boyz will be the headline musical act on Friday, February 25, along with Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz on Saturday, February 26, with Elida Reyna y Avante plus others. Featured, from left: Edinburg Chamber of Commerce leaders Johnny Rodríguez, who is chairman of the board of directors; Elva Jackson Garza, a member of the board of directors; Letty González, the president of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Jacob De León with Memorial Funeral Home; Edna Peña, the incoming chairwoman of the board of directors for the local chamber; Jason De León with Memorial Funeral Home; and Cris Torres and Dalia Arce from Inter National Bank. Torres is also co-chair for Fiesta Edinburg and serves on the board of directors for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. More information on Fiesta Edinburg, including limited sponsorship opportunities for the event, are currently available at 956/383-4974,. See story later in this posting.
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Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, featured right, has filed two bills that address the intensification of drug violence in northern Mexico and its effects here in Texas. Lucio, who was at Edinburg City Hall on Monday, January 3 as part of the swearing-in ceremony for Hidalgo County Precinct 4 Commissioner Joseph Palacios, has filed Senate Bill 288, which would allow the state police to set up southbound checkpoints on roads leading to international bridges, and Senate Bill 289, which would outlaw the sale, use, manufacture, transportation and repair of "caltrops" – nails which are used to disable the tires of police cars in pursuit of criminals. Lucio said those two measures will be carried in the House of Representatives by Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg. The senator will be working with other Valley legislators and area leaders, including Palacios, on major measures designed to improve border security in the Valley. Featured, from left: Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission; Rep. Verónica Gonzáles, D-McAllen; Commissioner Palacios; and Sen. Lucio. See story later in this posting.
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