Posted on 11/17/2007 9:37:02 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
Two of the most powerful women in the country are scheduled to be in Laredo today.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the third-most powerful politician in the country, will tour the region with U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, where she will meet some of the nation's most impoverished citizens.
And U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison will visit Texas A&M International University to discuss the importance of education and, specifically TAMIU's GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) program.
After meeting with parents and students involved in the GEAR UP program, Hutchison is scheduled to briefly address the media.
The itinerary for Pelosi's visit includes a trip to Los Ranchitos colonia and a tour of the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge, Cuellar said.
"I'm hoping we can turn her into an ally so we can ask the federal government to provide more money for people in the colonias," Cuellar said in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C., where Congress is in session.
"As a congressman, I want to make sure that people realize that in our country we still have places that don't have basic facilities," he said.
Following the trip to the colonia, Customs and Border Protection Port Director Gene Garza is scheduled to guide Pelosi on a tour of the international bridge.
Cuellar said he hopes that seeing the long lines of the cars waiting to cross the border will help Pelosi recognize that upgrades are needed at the Laredo Port of Entry.
"We need to bring to her attention that we need more infrastructure, more people, more funding to the port," Cuellar said. "(International trade) is so important to us, and having people wait at bridges for an hour is not fair."
In the past, federal officials have paid more attention to air and seaports of entry, Cuellar said.
"I want her to understand the importance of land ports, too," he said.
After the bridge tour, Pelosi will address the media and attend a fundraiser for Cuellar.
As Speaker of the House, Pelosi is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives. She is second in the presidential line of succession, and would take the office of president if the president and vice president were incapacitated.
Pelosi is a Democrat, and represents California's eighth congressional district in San Francisco. This will be her first visit to Laredo as a member of Congress. She visited McAllen in September and was recently in Austin. Pelosi and Cuellar plan to be in San Antonio on Saturday morning, where they will attend a rally in support of the Children's Health Insurance Program. She has spoken out against construction of a border wall.
Although Pelosi will only spend about four hours in Laredo, Cuellar said he thinks it will be a good opportunity for the city.
"I think this is a prime time for us to show what Laredo is all about," Cuellar said, "to show that we do have some problems we need to work on, but that Laredo is a good place to raise a family."
(Contact reporter Zachary Franz at 728-2582 or by e-mail at zfranz@lmtonline.com)
Bravo Sierra! I've waited over an hour trying to cross a bridge into D.C., Henry!
Pelosi/Cuellar Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
Wake Up Ms. Pelosi!
Gives me chills to think someone that stupid is that powerful.
What is a Colonia?
THE THIRD WORLD IN THE USA
Texas Secretary of State’s Definition:
The term “colonia,” in Spanish means a community or neighborhood. The Office of the Secretary of State defines a “colonia” as a residential area along the Texas-Mexico border that may lack some of the most basic living necessities, such as potable water and sewer systems, electricity, paved roads, and safe and sanitary housing.
In recent years the Texas-Mexico border region has experienced an explosion of growth in population and industrial activity. Although growth has resulted in economic opportunities, it has also intensified the environmental health and social challenges.
Among the border states, Texas has the largest number of colonias approximately 1,800 communities, with more than 500,000 residents. Sixty-five percent of all residents, and 85% of residents under the age of 18, were born in the United States. (aka Anchor babies) These Americans live in extreme poverty and often are unaware of the services that the United States and Texas can provide for them. Education is a key to addressing the problems faced by colonia residents, but reaching out to these communities poses unique challenges that require unique approaches.
Ninety-eight percent of the residents are Hispanic and speak little or no English.
(see photos - http://www-apps.niehs.nih.gov/outreach-education/News/spotarch/spot0503.cfm)
Welcome to the Colonias Home Page
“One of government’s chief responsibilities is to help Texans with the greatest needs. The Secretary of State’s Ombudsman Program is a central part of our initiatives to assist needy Texans living in colonias. The program is helping to provide better roads, bring water and wastewater infrastructure to areas that lack these basic services, and improve the quality of life for some of Texas’ neediest citizens.” - Governor Rick Perry
Photos at link
http://towncriernews.blogspot.com/search?q=colonia
Isn’t Cuellar the one that was on Glen Beck a week or so ago and talked down to the peon Sheriff?
I think he is and what a disgusting, elitist he was/is.
In who’s view is Kay Bailey one of the “most powerful women in the country”?
He is the one. What a disgusting elitist.
I saw cuellar on Glenn Beck, who told him something like he made the rudest remark....he cut down a border patrol like a pissant, grossed me out. I would love to see this dude get his.
She’s ranked #40 most powerful US Senator in Congress.org and I think that makes her about 4th woman senator.
Kay Bailey Hutchison lost me when she voted for the DREAM Act back in October. Maybe cost her the Governors job.
She’s ranked #40 most powerful US Senator in Congress.org and I think that makes her about 4th woman senator.
Kay Bailey Hutchison lost me when she voted for the DREAM Act back in October. Maybe cost her the Governors job.
It was Webb County Sheriff Rick Flores.
Congressman vs. Sheriff[South Texas fallout from Glenn Beck Show]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1923817/posts
I would like to know the same thing. She used to be my senator until I moved across town; and I am glad she isn’t anymore.
She’s another RHINO, unfortunately.
Yep
I had big hopes for her when she first got elected-I thought she was pretty hot, too-and thought she’d be a blessing for the party, since she was a (I thought) conservative southerner. I’m in my 60’s, so I still find her pretty hot, but I would NEVER vote for her. Actually-and I almost hate to say this...this is what’s starting to worry me about that prediction that up to 25% or more of republican women are going to vote for Billary. Mainly because-quick, name me one female in american politics that’s a social conservative-even if they have an “R” behind their name. They’re few and far between. Most of what we have are like her or Snowe, or “Christine the Pristine” Whitman. I can see most of elected repub women voting for Hill&Bill real easy-’just because it’s time’, ya know.
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