{Democrat Henry} Cuellar Files for Office (U.S. House against Ciro Rodriguez}

Laredo, TX, Morning Times ^ | 01-13-04 | Times Staff Reports

[Theodore R.]

Cuellar files for office

Times staff reports

Former state representative Henry Cuellar announced his filing for candidacy for the new 28th Congressional District, Monday.

In a press release issued by his campaign headquarters, Cuellar announced his decision to run for the Democratic nomination in the March 9 primaries.

He filed with state Democratic Party headquarters in Austin Sunday afternoon.

The newly created congressional district is made up of Atascosa, Frio, Guadalupe, La Salle, McMullen, Wilson, Zapata and part of Bexar, Comal and Webb counties.

"As a state representative for 14 years, I fought to bring improved funding for education, healthcare and economic development in the district I represented,"

Cuellar is quoted as saying in the release.

"If elected to Congress in the 28th District, I will continue to work hard and produce real results in these same areas," he said.

A native Laredoan, Cuellar was raised by migrant farm workers.

He earned an associates degree in political science from what is now Laredo Community College before earning a bachelors degree in foreign service from Georgetown University in Washington D.C.

Cuellar earned a masters degree in international trade from A&M International University, and a law degree and doctorate degree in government from the University of Texas.

"My parents always instilled in me that with hard work and determination, I could overcome any obstacle. I want every child in the 28th District, regardless of their background, to have the opportunity and help from their congressman to realize the American dream of getting an education, buying a home, building a family and securing their future," Cuellar said.

He stated in the release that if elected, he would work to increase funding to middle-class, working families trying to send their children to college.

Cuellar said he also plans to work with local officials to obtain more federal funding for rural school districts and "high-growth" school districts.

The release states that during the 10-year period in which Cuellar served on the Texas House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, he was able to increase the funding of all state programs involving higher and public education.

He authored the $325 million TEXAS grant, which was the largest scholarship program in the state's history, the release states.

Another of his major accomplishments as a state representative was his involvement with the Children's Health Insurance Program.

The former representative also pushed for increased healthcare funding for senior citizens and rural healthcare providers, the release states.

"If elected, I will continue to protect CHIP and expand affordable health insurance for working families. I will also earmark more federal dollars for rural hospital districts to help them construct facilities with state-of-the-art medical technology, and ask the Veterans Administration to partner locally to provide veterans with healthcare close to home," Cuellar said.

He said in the release that his economical development focus would be on small and family-owned businesses.

"Too many people have lost hope for better jobs and better wages. We must reduce the tax burden on these enterprises and combat pointless policies that rob us of true economic development," the candidate said.

Cuellar is married to the former Imelda Rios, of Laredo, and has two children - Christina Alexandra and Catherine Ann.

01/13/04

[Theodore R.]

This is either the ninth or tenth time that Cuellar has sought office in and about Webb County, TX. In his last race, House in 2002, he polled 85 percent in his native area.

I am surprised that this district extends as far north as Comal Co.